Low Compression Golf Balls Containing Cores Made Of Plasticized Thermoplastic Compositions

ABSTRACT

Low compression multi-piece golf balls having a solid core comprising at least one layer made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition are provided. Preferably, the ball has a compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. The ball includes a cover in addition to the core sub-assembly. For example, two-piece and three-piece golf balls may be made. The plasticized thermoplastic composition preferably comprises: a) ethylene acid copolymer, b) plasticizer, and c) cation source. Preferably, a fatty acid ester such as butyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. In two-layered core constructions, the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers may have different hardness levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency at given compressions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-assigned, co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/460,416, filed Aug. 15, 2014, whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/145,578filed Dec. 31, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/323,128, filed Dec. 12, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,715,112, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/423,921, filed Apr. 15, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,423. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/423,921 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/407,856, filed Mar. 20, 2009, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,708,656, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/972,240, filed Jan. 10, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.7,722,482. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/423,921 is also acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/407,865, filed Mar. 20, 2009, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,713,145, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/972,240, filed Jan. 10, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.7,722,482. The entire disclosure of each of these related applicationsis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to low compression multi-piecegolf balls having a solid core comprising at least one layer made of aplasticized thermoplastic composition. Preferably, the ball has acompression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50. In oneexample, a two-piece ball containing an inner core (center) andprotective outer cover may be made. In another example, a three-pieceball containing an intermediate layer disposed between the core andcover may be made. Preferably, the plasticized thermoplastic compositioncomprises an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer and plasticizer.

2. Brief Review of the Related Art

Multi-layered, golf balls are used today by recreational andprofessional golfers. In general, these golf balls contain an inner coreprotected by a cover. The core acts as the primary engine for the balland the cover protects the core and helps provide the ball withdurability and wear-resistance. The core and cover may be single ormulti-layered. For example, two-piece golf balls containing an innercore that is protected by an outer cover are popular. Three-piece golfballs having an inner core, intermediate layer, and outer cover layerare used by many professional and recreational golfers. In otherinstances, golfers will use a four-piece ball containing a dual-core(inner core and surrounding outer-core layer) and dual-cover (innercover layer and surrounding outer cover layer). Intermediate layer(s)may be disposed between the core and cover layers to impart variousproperties. Thus, five-piece and even six-piece balls can be made.Normally, the core layers are made of a natural or synthetic rubbermaterial or an ionomer polymer. These ionomer polymers are typicallycopolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid or acrylic acid that arepartially or fully neutralized. In particular, highly neutralizedpolymer (HNP) compositions may be used to form a core layer. Metal ionssuch as sodium, lithium, zinc, and magnesium are commonly used toneutralize the acid groups in the acid copolymer.

Such ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resins generally have gooddurability, cut-resistance, and toughness. These ionomers may be used tomake cover, intermediate, and core layers for the golf ball. When usedas a core material, the ionomer resin helps impart higher initialvelocity to the golf ball and this helps the ball have longer flightdistance, which is particularly important for driver shots off a tee.

The durability, spin rate, and feel of the ball also are importantproperties. In general, the durability of the ball refers to theimpact-resistance of the ball. Balls having low durability appear wornand damaged even when such balls are used only for brief time periods.In some instances, the cover may be cracked or torn. The spin raterefers to the ball's rate of rotation after it is hit by a club. Ballshaving a relatively high spin rate are advantageous for short distanceshots made with irons and wedges. Professional and highly skilledamateur golfers can place a back spin more easily on such balls. Thishelps a player better control the ball and improves shot accuracy andplacement. By placing the right amount of spin on the ball, the playercan get the ball to stop precisely on the green or place a fade on theball during approach shots. On the other hand, recreational players whocannot intentionally control the spin of the ball when hitting it with aclub are less likely to use high spin balls. For such players, the ballcan spin sideways more easily and drift far-off the course, especiallyif it is hooked or sliced. Meanwhile, the “feel” of the ball generallyrefers to the sensation that a player experiences when striking the ballwith the club and it is a difficult property to quantify. Balls areoften described as having a soft or hard feel. The feel of the ballprimarily depends upon the hardness and compression of the ball.

In recent years, golf balls having a lower compression and spin ratehave been developed. For example, three-piece balls containing an innercore and outer core layer (or intermediate layer) made of polybutadienerubber and outer covers made of ionomer resin have been developed. Theserelatively low compression and low spin balls are particularly desirablewhen making short shots around the green, because the player senses morecontrol with such balls and shot accuracy often is improved.

Golf balls having a relatively low compression are described in thepatent literature. For example, Ogg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,748discloses a two-piece golf ball comprising a core comprising made of aneodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene composition, and a cover made ofpartially-neutralized ethylene acid copolymer composition, wherein thegolf ball has a diameter of at least 1.68 inches, a mass of at least 45grams, a coefficient of restitution of at least 0.780, and a PGAcompression ranging from 35 to 50. Lemons et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,431,669 discloses a low compression golf ball, wherein the core isformed of polybutadiene rubber that produces a zero (or less)compression. The mantle is molded around the core using ethylene,acrylic acid and n-butyl acrylate terpolymers, with 100% of the acrylicacid groups neutralized with metal ions. The cover is molded usingconventional ethylene acid copolymer ionomers. Cavallaro, U.S. Pat. No.5,947,842 discloses a low-spin multi-layer golf ball containing a core,a cover layer, and a mantle layer disposed between the core and coverlayer. The core preferably has a compression of less than 80 points andmore preferably less than 60 points. According to the '842 Patent,calcium oxide can be added to the core composition in place of zincoxide and this helps reduce core compression by at least about 2compression points. Loper et al., US Patent Application Publication2009/0170634 discloses a golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) an innermantle layer; (c) an intermediate mantle layer; (d) an outer mantlelayer; and (e) at least one cover layer; wherein the mantle layers maybe made of various ionomer compositions, and the core has a PGAcompression of less than 70, and the combined sub-assembly of core/innermantle layer/intermediate mantle layer has a PGA compression of at least30.

Although some of the above-described compositions may be somewhateffective for making certain components and layers in a multi-piece golfball, there is still a need for new compositions that can impart highperformance properties to the ball. One problem with some conventionallow compression balls is they may have low impact durability. The ballsmay appear excessively worn and small cracks may appear after repeateduse. In particular, there is a continuing need for improved coreconstructions in golf balls. The core material should help provide theball with a relatively low compression and soft feel. The ball shouldhave good spin control. At the same time, the impact durability andresiliency (as measured by Coefficient of Restitution) properties of theball should not be sacrificed. The ball should have high impactdurability and resiliency. The present invention provides golf ballshaving an optimum combination of properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to multi-layered golf balls andmore particularly to golf balls having at least one layer made ofthermoplastic ethylene acid copolymer/plasticizer compositions. Forexample, two-piece and three-piece balls may be made. In one version,the ball contains a core comprising a plasticized thermoplasticcomposition; and a cover disposed about the core, wherein the ball has acompression of less than 60. Preferably, the ball has a compression inthe range of about 25 to about 55 and more preferably in the range of 30to 50. The thermoplastic composition preferably comprises: i) an acidcopolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionallyincluding a softening monomer selected from the group consisting ofalkyl acrylates and methacrylates; ii) a plasticizer; and iii) a cationsource present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0% toabout 100% of all acid groups present in the composition. The geometriccenter and surface of the core each has a hardness, and in one preferredversion, the surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater thanthe center hardness of the core to provide a positive hardness gradientacross the core structure. In another version, the surface hardness ofthe outer core layer is less than the center hardness of the core toprovide a negative hardness gradient. The cover preferably comprises apolyurethane or ethylene acid copolymer ionomer composition.

Various plasticizers may be used in the ethylene acid copolymercompositions of this invention. In one particularly preferred version,the thermoplastic composition comprises a fatty acid ester, particularlyan alkyl oleate, such as methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate,butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, thethermoplastic composition comprises about 3 to about 50% by weightplasticizer, more preferably about 8 to about 42%, and even morepreferably about 10 to about 30%, plasticizer based on weight ofcomposition.

In another version, the ball contains an inner core comprising aplasticized thermoplastic composition; an outer core comprising athermoplastic or thermoset composition; and a cover disposed about theouter core, wherein the ball has a compression of less than 60.Preferably, the thermoplastic composition used to form the inner corecomprises: i) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturatedcarboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates; ii) aplasticizer; and iii) a cation source present in an amount sufficient toneutralize from about 0% to about 100% of all acid groups present in thecomposition. Thermoplastic or thermoset compositions may be used to formthe outer core layer. This plasticized thermoplastic composition alsomay be used to form the outer core layer. In another embodiment, athermoset rubber composition may be used. The cover preferably comprisesa polyurethane or ethylene acid copolymer ionomer composition.

In one version, the inner core and outer core layer each has a positivehardness gradient. In another version, the inner core has a positivehardness gradient and the outer core layer has a zero or negativehardness gradient. In yet another construction, the inner core has azero or negative hardness gradient and the outer core layer has apositive hardness gradient. In a further version, both the inner andouter core layers have zero or negative hardness gradients. In each ofthese versions, the surface hardness of the outer core layer may begreater than the center hardness of the inner core to provide a positivehardness gradient across the core assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention areset forth in the appended claims. However, the preferred embodiments ofthe invention, together with further objects and attendant advantages,are best understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionin connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) ofcommercially-available samples and ethylene acid copolymer/plasticizersamples of this invention plotted against the Compression of therespective samples and includes an Index Line;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) ofadditional commercially-available samples and ethylene acidcopolymer/plasticizer samples of this invention plotted against theCompression of the respective samples;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the Soft and Fast Index (SFI) values for theethylene acid copolymer/plasticizer samples plotted in FIGS. 1 and 2plotted against the concentration of plasticizer in the respectivecompositions;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner core made in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a two-piece golf ball having asingle-layered core and single-layered cover made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a three-piece golf ball having adual-layered core and single-layered cover made in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a four-piece golf ball having adual-layered core and dual-layered cover made in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a five-piece golf ball having adual-layered core, an intermediate layer, and a dual-layered cover madein accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Golf Ball Constructions

Golf balls having various constructions may be made in accordance withthis invention. For example, golf balls having one-piece, two-piece,three-piece, four-piece, and five or more-piece constructions with theterm “piece” referring to any core, cover or intermediate layer of agolf ball construction. Representative illustrations of such golf ballconstructions are provided and discussed further below. The term,“layer” as used herein means generally any spherical portion of the golfball. More particularly, in one version, a one-piece ball is made usingthe inventive composition as the entire golf ball excluding any paint orcoating and indicia applied thereon. In a second version, a two-pieceball comprising a single core and a single cover layer is made. In athird version, a three-piece golf ball containing a dual-layered coreand single-layered cover is made. The dual-core includes an inner core(center) and surrounding outer core layer. In another version, athree-piece ball containing a single core layer and two cover layers ismade. In yet another version, a four-piece golf ball containing adual-core and dual-cover (inner cover and outer cover layers) is made.In yet another construction, a four-piece or five-piece golf ballcontaining a dual-core; an inner cover layer, an intermediate cover andan outer cover layer, may be made. In still another construction, afive-piece ball is made containing an innermost core layer (or center),an intermediate core layer, an outer core layer, an inner cover layerand an outer cover layer. The diameter and thickness of the differentlayers along with properties such as hardness and compression may varydepending upon the construction and desired playing performanceproperties of the golf ball. Any one or more of the layers of any of theone, two, three, four, or five, or more-piece (layered) balls describedabove may comprise a thermoplastic composition as disclosed herein. Thatis, any of the inner (center) core and/or outer core layers, and/orinner, intermediate, or outer cover layers may comprise a plasticizedcomposition of this invention.

In one preferred version, a two-piece golf ball consisting of a coremade of a plasticized thermoplastic composition and an outer cover,wherein the ball has a compression of less than 60, is formed. In oneembodiment, the ball has a compression in the range of about 25 to about55 and more particularly in the range of 30 to 50. In another preferredversion, a three-piece golf ball consisting of an inner core made of aplasticized thermoplastic composition, an outer core layer made of athermoset or thermoplastic composition, for example, polybutadienerubber, and an outer cover, wherein the ball has a compression of lessthan 60, is produced. In another embodiment, the golf balls have acompression within a range of about negative 60 to positive 55. Forexample, the compression range may be about negative 20 to positive 40,particularly about zero to about positive 35, and more particularlyabout 1 to about positive 30. In a particularly preferred embodiment,the plasticized HNP composition comprises about 1 to about 15% by weightof filler such as barium sulfate based on weight of composition. Thesegolf ball embodiments including plasticized thermoplastic compositionsare discussed in further detail below.

Core Composition

In general, the thermoplastic composition used to form the core or innercore comprises: a) an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturatedcarboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates; and b) aplasticizer. In one preferred embodiment, a cation source is present inan amount sufficient to neutralize greater than 20% of all acid groupspresent in the composition. The composition may comprise ahighly-neutralized polymer (HNP); partially-neutralized acid polymer; orlowly-neutralized or non-neutralized acid polymer, and blends thereof asdescribed further below. Suitable plasticizers that may be used toplasticize the thermoplastic compositions are also described furtherbelow.

Highly Neutralized Polymer Compositions

Suitable HNP compositions, which will be plasticized per this invention,comprise an HNP and optionally melt-flow modifier(s), additive(s),and/or filler(s). For purposes of the present disclosure, “HNP” refersto an acid polymer after at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, morepreferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, and even morepreferably 100%, of the acid groups present are neutralized. It isunderstood that the HNP may be a blend of two or more HNPs. Preferredacid polymers are copolymers of an α-olefin and a C₃-C₈α,β-ethylenicallyunsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally including a softening monomer.The α-olefin is preferably selected from ethylene and propylene. Theacid is preferably selected from (meth) acrylic acid, ethacrylic acid,maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, and itaconic acid. (Meth)acrylic acid is particularly preferred. The optional softening monomeris preferably selected from alkyl (meth) acrylate, wherein the alkylgroups have from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Preferred acid polymers include,but are not limited to, those wherein the α-olefin is ethylene, the acidis (meth) acrylic acid, and the optional softening monomer is selectedfrom (meth) acrylate, n-butyl (meth) acrylate, isobutyl (meth) acrylate,methyl (meth) acrylate, and ethyl (meth) acrylate. Particularlypreferred acid polymers include, but are not limited to, ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate, ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid/methylacrylate, and ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate.

Suitable acid polymers for forming the HNP also include acid polymersthat are already partially neutralized. Examples of suitable partiallyneutralized acid polymers include, but are not limited to, Surlyn®ionomers, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; AClyn® ionomers, commercially available from HoneywellInternational Inc.; and Iotek® ionomers, commercially available fromExxonMobil Chemical Company. Also suitable are DuPont® HPF 1000 andDuPont® HPF 2000, ionomeric materials commercially available from E. I.du Pont de Nemours and Company. In some embodiments, very low modulusionomer-(“VLMI-”) type ethylene-acid polymers are particularly suitablefor forming the HNP, such as Surlyn® 6320, Surlyn® 8120, Surlyn® 8320,and Surlyn® 9320, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemoursand Company.

The α-olefin is typically present in the acid polymer in an amount of 15wt % or greater, or 25 wt % or greater, or 40 wt % or greater, or 60 wt% or greater, based on the total weight of the acid polymer. The acid istypically present in the acid polymer in an amount within a range havinga lower limit of 1 or 2 or 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 or 15 or 16 or 20 wt% and an upper limit of 20 or 25 or 26 or 30 or 35 or 40 wt %, based onthe total weight of the acid polymer. The optional softening monomer istypically present in the acid polymer in an amount within a range havinga lower limit of 0 or 1 or 3 or 5 or 11 or 15 or 20 wt % and an upperlimit of 23 or 25 or 30 or 35 or 50 wt %, based on the total weight ofthe acid polymer.

Additional suitable acid polymers are more fully described, for example,in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,418, 6,562,906, 6,653,382, 6,777,472, 6,762,246,6,815,480, and 6,953,820 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2005/0148725, 2005/0049367, 2005/0020741, 2004/0220343, and2003/0130434, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The HNP is formed by reacting the acid polymer with a sufficient amountof cation source, optionally in the presence of a high molecular weightorganic acid or salt thereof, such that at least 70%, preferably atleast 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%,and even more preferably 100%, of all acid groups present areneutralized. The resulting HNP composition is plasticized with aplasticizer. Suitable plasticizers are described further below. In aparticular embodiment, the cation source is present in an amountsufficient to neutralize, theoretically, greater than 100%, or 105% orgreater, or 110% or greater, or 115% or greater, or 120% or greater, or125% or greater, or 200% or greater, or 250% or greater of all acidgroups present in the composition. The acid polymer can be reacted withthe optional high molecular weight organic acid or salt thereof and thecation source simultaneously, or the acid polymer can be reacted withthe optional high molecular weight organic acid or salt thereof prior tothe addition of the cation source.

Suitable cation sources include metal ions and compounds of alkalimetals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals; metal ions andcompounds of rare earth elements; and combinations thereof. Preferredcation sources are metal ions and compounds of magnesium, sodium,potassium, cesium, calcium, barium, manganese, copper, zinc, tin,lithium, and rare earth metals. The acid polymer may be at leastpartially neutralized prior to contacting the acid polymer with thecation source to form the HNP. Methods of preparing ionomers, and theacid polymers on which ionomers are based, are disclosed, for example,in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,264,272, and 4,351,931, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2002/0013413.

Suitable high molecular weight organic acids, for both the metal saltand as a component of the ester plasticizer, are aliphatic organicacids, aromatic organic acids, saturated monofunctional organic acids,unsaturated monofunctional organic acids, multi-unsaturatedmonofunctional organic acids, and dimerized derivatives thereof.Particular examples of suitable organic acids include, but are notlimited to, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid,stearic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid,myristic acid, benzoic acid, palmitic acid, phenylacetic acid,naphthalenoic acid, dimerized derivatives thereof, and combinationsthereof. Salts of high molecular weight organic acids comprise thesalts, particularly the barium, lithium, sodium, zinc, bismuth,chromium, cobalt, copper, potassium, strontium, titanium, tungsten,magnesium, and calcium salts, of aliphatic organic acids, aromaticorganic acids, saturated monofunctional organic acids, unsaturatedmonofunctional organic acids, multi-unsaturated monofunctional organicacids, dimerized derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitableorganic acids and salts thereof are more fully described, for example,in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,436, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. In a particular embodiment, the HNPcomposition comprises an organic acid salt in an amount of 20 phr orgreater, or 25 phr or greater, or 30 phr or greater, or 35 phr orgreater, or 40 phr or greater.

The plasticized HNP compositions of the present invention optionallycontain one or more melt-flow modifiers. The amount of melt-flowmodifier in the composition is readily determined such that themelt-flow index of the composition is at least 0.1 g/10 min, preferablyfrom 0.5 g/10 min to 10.0 g/10 min, and more preferably from 1.0 g/10min to 6.0 g/10 min, as measured using ASTM D-1238, condition E, at 190°C., using a 2160 gram weight.

It is not required that a conventional melt-flow modifier be added tothe plasticized HNP composition of this invention. Such melt-flowmodifiers are optional. If a melt-flow modifier is added, it may beselected from the group of traditional melt-flow modifiers including,but not limited to, the high molecular weight organic acids and saltsthereof disclosed above, polyamides, polyesters, polyacrylates,polyurethanes, polyethers, polyureas, polyhydric alcohols, andcombinations thereof. Also suitable are the non-fatty acid melt-flowmodifiers disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,365,128 and 7,402,629, theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.However, as discussed above, certain plasticizers are added to thecomposition of this invention, and it is recognized that suchplasticizers may modify the melt-flow of the composition in someinstances.

The plasticized HNP compositions of the present invention optionallyinclude additive(s) and/or filler(s) in an amount within a range havinga lower limit of 0 or 1 or 5 or 10 wt %, and an upper limit of 15 or 20or 25 or 30 or 50 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition.Suitable additives and fillers include, but are not limited to, chemicalblowing and foaming agents, optical brighteners, coloring agents,fluorescent agents, whitening agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers,defoaming agents, processing aids, mica, talc, nano-fillers,antioxidants, stabilizers, softening agents, fragrance components,impact modifiers, TiO₂, acid copolymer wax, surfactants, and fillers,such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, zinc sulfate, calciumoxide, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate, barium carbonate, clay,tungsten, tungsten carbide, silica, lead silicate, regrind (recycledmaterial), and mixtures thereof. Suitable additives are more fullydisclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2003/0225197, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

In some embodiments, the plasticized HNP composition is a “moistureresistant” HNP composition, i.e., having a moisture vapor transmissionrate (“MVTR”) of 8 g-mil/100 in²/day or less (i.e., 3.2 g-mm/m²·day orless), or 5 g-mil/100 in²/day or less (i.e., 2.0 g-mm/m²·day or less),or 3 g-mil/100 in²/day or less (i.e., 1.2 g-mm/m²·day or less), or 2g-mil/100 in²/day or less (i.e., 0.8 g-mm/m²·day or less), or 1g-mil/100 in²/day or less (i.e., 0.4 g-mm/m²·day or less), or less than1 g-mil/100 in²/day (i.e., less than 0.4 g-mm/m²·day). Suitable moistureresistant HNP compositions are disclosed, for example, in U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2005/0267240, 2006/0106175, and2006/0293464, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

The plasticized HNP compositions of the present invention are notlimited by any particular method or any particular equipment for makingthe compositions. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is preparedby the following process. The acid polymer(s), plasticizers, optionalmelt-flow modifier(s), and optional additive(s)/filler(s) aresimultaneously or individually fed into a melt extruder, such as asingle or twin screw extruder. Other suitable methods for incorporatingthe plasticizer into the composition are described further below. Asuitable amount of cation source is then added such that at least 70%,or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 100%, ofall acid groups present are neutralized. Optionally, the cation sourceis added in an amount sufficient to neutralize, theoretically, 105% orgreater, or 110% or greater, or 115% or greater, or 120% or greater, or125% or greater, or 200% or greater, or 250% or greater of all acidgroups present in the composition. The acid polymer may be at leastpartially neutralized prior to the above process. The components areintensively mixed prior to being extruded as a strand from the die-head.

The HNP composition, which will be plasticized with specificplasticizers as described in detail below, optionally comprises at leastone additional polymer component selected from partially neutralizedionomers as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006/0128904, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; bimodal ionomers, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0220343 andU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,562,906, 6,762,246, 7,273,903, 8,193,283, 8,410,219,and 8,410,220, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference, and particularly Surlyn® AD 1043, 1092, and 1022ionomer resins, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; ionomers modified with rosins, such as those disclosed in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0020741, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference; soft and resilientethylene copolymers, such as those disclosed U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2003/0114565, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference; polyolefins, such as linear, branched,or cyclic, C₂-C₄₀ olefins, particularly polymers comprising ethylene orpropylene copolymerized with one or more C₂-C₄₀ olefins, C₃-C₂₀α-olefins, or C₃-C₁₀ α-olefins; polyamides; polyesters; polyethers;polycarbonates; polysulfones; polyacetals; polylactones;acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins; polyphenylene oxide;polyphenylene sulfide; styrene-acrylonitrile resins; styrene maleicanhydride; polyimides; aromatic polyketones; ionomers and ionomericprecursors, acid copolymers, and conventional HNPs, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,756,436, 6,894,098, and 6,953,820, theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference;polyurethanes; grafted and non-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers,such as single-site catalyst polymerized polymers, high crystalline acidpolymers, cationic ionomers, and combinations thereof.

Other polymer components that may be included in the plasticized HNPcomposition include, for example, natural and synthetic rubbers,including, but not limited to, ethylene propylene rubber (“EPR”),ethylene propylene diene rubber (“EPDM”), styrenic block copolymerrubbers (such as SI, SIS, SB, SBS, SIBS, and the like, where “S” isstyrene, “I” is isobutylene, and “B” is butadiene), butyl rubber,halobutyl rubber, copolymers of isobutylene and para-alkylstyrene,halogenated copolymers of isobutylene and para-alkylstyrene, naturalrubber, polyisoprene, copolymers of butadiene with acrylonitrile,polychloroprene, alkyl acrylate rubber (such as ethylene-alkyl acrylatesand ethylene-alkyl methacrylates, and, more specifically, ethylene-ethylacrylate, ethylene-methyl acrylate, and ethylene-butyl acrylate),chlorinated isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile chlorinated isoprene rubber,and polybutadiene rubber (cis and trans). Additional suitable blendpolymers include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,658, for exampleat column 14, lines 30 to 56, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The blend may be produced by post-reactor blending, by connectingreactors in series to make reactor blends, or by using more than onecatalyst in the same reactor to produce multiple species of polymer. Thepolymers may be mixed prior to being put into an extruder, or they maybe mixed in an extruder. In a particular embodiment, the plasticized HNPcomposition comprises an acid copolymer and an additional polymercomponent, wherein the additional polymer component is a non-acidpolymer present in an amount of greater than 50 wt %, or an amountwithin a range having a lower limit of 50 or 55 or 60 or 65 or 70 and anupper limit of 80 or 85 or 90, based on the combined weight of the acidcopolymer and the non-acid polymer. In another particular embodiment,the plasticized HNP composition comprises an acid copolymer and anadditional polymer component, wherein the additional polymer componentis a non-acid polymer present in an amount of less than 50 wt %, or anamount within a range having a lower limit of 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30and an upper limit of 40 or 45 or 50, based on the combined weight ofthe acid copolymer and the non-acid polymer.

The plasticized HNP compositions of the present invention, in the neat(i.e., unfilled) form, preferably have a specific gravity of from 0.95g/cc to 0.99 g/cc. Any suitable filler, flake, fiber, particle, or thelike, of an organic or inorganic material may be added to the HNPcomposition to increase or decrease the specific gravity, particularlyto adjust the weight distribution within the golf ball, as furtherdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,494,795, 6,547,677, 6,743,123, 7,074,137,and 6,688,991, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

In a particular embodiment, the plasticized HNP composition is selectedfrom the relatively “soft” HNP compositions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,468,006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference, and the low modulus HNP compositions disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,207,903, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. In a particular aspect of thisembodiment, a sphere formed from the HNP composition has a compressionof 80 or less, or 70 or less, or 65 or less, or 60 or less, or 50 orless, or 40 or less, or 30 or less, or 20 or less. In another particularaspect of this embodiment, the plasticized HNP composition has amaterial hardness within a range having a lower limit of 40 or 50 or 55Shore C and an upper limit of 70 or 80 or 87 Shore C, or a materialhardness of 55 Shore D or less, or a material hardness within a rangehaving a lower limit of 10 or 20 or 30 or 37 or 39 or 40 or 45 Shore Dand an upper limit of 48 or 50 or 52 or 55 or 60 or 80 Shore D. In yetanother particular aspect of this embodiment, the plasticized HNPcomposition comprises an HNP having a modulus within a range having alower limit of 1,000 or 5,000 or 10,000 psi and an upper limit of 17,000or 25,000 or 28,000 or 30,000 or 35,000 or 45,000 or 50,000 or 55,000psi, as measured using a standard flex bar according to ASTM D790-B.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized HNP composition isselected from the relatively “hard” HNP compositions disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,468,006, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, and the high modulus HNP compositionsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,903, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference. In a particular aspect of thisembodiment, a sphere formed from the plasticized HNP composition has acompression of 70 or greater, or 80 or greater, or a compression withina range having a lower limit of 70 or 80 or 90 or 100 and an upper limitof 110 or 130 or 140. In another particular aspect of this embodiment,the HNP composition has a material hardness of 35 Shore D or greater, or45 Shore D or greater, or a material hardness within a range having alower limit of 45 or 50 or 55 or 57 or 58 or 60 or 65 or 70 or 75 ShoreD and an upper limit of 75 or 80 or 85 or 90 or 95 Shore D. In yetanother particular aspect of this embodiment, the plasticized HNPcomposition comprises an HNP having a modulus within a range having alower limit of 25,000 or 27,000 or 30,000 or 40,000 or 45,000 or 50,000or 55,000 or 60,000 psi and an upper limit of 72,000 or 75,000 or100,000 or 150,000 psi, as measured using a standard flex bar accordingto ASTM D790-B. Suitable HNP compositions are further disclosed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,653,382, 6,756,436, 6,777,472, 6,815,480,6,894,098, 6,919,393, 6,953,820, 6,994,638, 7,375,151, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.Plasticizers, as described further below, are added to theabove-described soft and hard and other HNP compositions.

In a particular embodiment, the HNP composition is formed by blending anacid polymer, a non-acid polymer, a cation source, and a fatty acid ormetal salt thereof. The resulting HNP composition is plasticized with aplasticizer as described further below. For purposes of the presentinvention, maleic anhydride modified polymers are defined herein as anon-acid polymer despite having anhydride groups that can ring-open tothe acid form during processing of the polymer to form the HNPcompositions herein. The maleic anhydride groups are grafted onto apolymer, are present at relatively very low levels, and are not part ofthe polymer backbone, as is the case with the acid polymers, which areexclusively E/X and E/X/Y copolymers of ethylene and an acid,particularly methacrylic acid and acrylic acid.

In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the acid polymer is selectedfrom ethylene-acrylic acid and ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers,optionally containing a softening monomer selected from n-butylacrylate, iso-butyl acrylate, and methyl acrylate. The acid polymerpreferably has an acid content with a range having a lower limit of 2 or10 or 15 or 16 weight % and an upper limit of 20 or 25 or 26 or 30weight %. Examples of particularly suitable commercially available acidpolymers include, but are not limited to, those given in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Acid Copolymers and Properties. Melt Index Softening (2.16 kg,Acid Monomer 190° C., Acid Polymer (wt %) (wt %) g/10 min) Nucrel ® 9-1methacrylic acid n-butyl acrylate 25 (9.0) (23.5) Nucrel ® 599methacrylic acid none 450 (10.0) Nucrel ® 960 methyacrylic acid none 60(15.0) Nucrel ® 0407 methacrylic acid none 7.5 (4.0) Nucrel ® 0609methacrylic acid none 9 (6.0) Nucrel ® 1214 methacrylic acid none 13.5(12.0) Nucrel ® 2906 methacrylic acid none 60 (19.0) Nucrel ® 2940methacrylic acid none 395 (19.0) Nucrel ® 30707 acrylic acid none 7(7.0) Nucrel ® 31001 acrylic acid none 1.3 (9.5) Nucrel ® AE methacrylicacid isobutyl acrylate 11 (2.0) (6.0) Nucrel ® 2806 acrylic acid none 60(18.0) Nucrel ® 0403 methacrylic acid none 3 (4.0) Nucrel ® 925methacrylic acid none 25 (15.0) Escor ® AT-310 acrylic acid methylacrylate 6 (6.5) (6.5) Escor ® AT-325 acrylic acid methyl acrylate 20(6.0) (20.0) Escor ® AT-320 acrylic acid methyl acrylate 5 (6.0) (18.0)Escor ® 5070 acrylic acid none 30 (9.0) Escor ® 5100 acrylic acid none8.5 (11.0) Escor ® 5200 acrylic acid none 38 (15.0) A-C ® 5120 acrylicacid none not reported (15) A-C ® 540 acrylic acid none not reported (5)A-C ® 580 acrylic acid none not reported (10) Primacor ® 3150 acrylicacid none 5.8 (6.5) Primacor ® 3330 acrylic acid none 11 (3.0)Primacor ® 5985 acrylic acid none 240 (20.5) Primacor ® 5986 acrylicacid none 300 (20.5) Primacor ® 5980I acrylic acid none 300 (20.5)Primacor ® 5990I acrylic acid none 1300 (20.0) XUS 60751.17 acrylic acidnone 600 (19.8) XUS 60753.02L acrylic acid none 60 (17.0)

The non-acid polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting ofpolyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes,metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalyst polymerizedpolymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber,styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers, andfunctionalized derivatives thereof.

In another particular aspect of this embodiment, the non-acid polymer isan elastomeric polymer. Suitable elastomeric polymers include, but arenot limited to:

(a) ethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers, particularly polyethylene-butylacrylate, polyethylene-methyl acrylate, and polyethylene-ethyl acrylate;

(b) metallocene-catalyzed polymers;

(c) ethylene-butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide polymers and ethylene-vinylacetate-carbon monoxide polymers;

(d) polyethylene-vinyl acetates;

(e) ethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers containing a cure site monomer;

(f) ethylene-propylene rubbers and ethylene-propylene-diene monomerrubbers;

(g) olefinic ethylene elastomers, particularly ethylene-octene polymers,ethylene-butene polymers, ethylene-propylene polymers, andethylene-hexene polymers;

(h) styrenic block copolymers;

(i) polyester elastomers;

(j) polyamide elastomers;

(k) polyolefin rubbers, particularly polybutadiene, polyisoprene, andstyrene-butadiene rubber; and

(l) thermoplastic polyurethanes.

Examples of particularly suitable commercially available non-acidpolymers include, but are not limited to, Lotader® ethylene-alkylacrylate polymers and Lotryl® ethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers, andparticularly Lotader® 4210, 4603, 4700, 4720, 6200, 8200, and AX8900commercially available from Arkema Corporation; Elvaloy® ACethylene-alkyl acrylate polymers, and particularly AC 1224, AC 1335, AC2116, AC3117, AC3427, and AC34035, commercially available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company; Fusabond® elastomeric polymers, such asethylene vinyl acetates, polyethylenes, metallocene-catalyzedpolyethylenes, ethylene propylene rubbers, and polypropylenes, andparticularly Fusabond® N525, C190, C250, A560, N416, N493, N614, P614,M603, E100, E158, E226, E265, E528, and E589, commercially availablefrom E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Honeywell A-C polyethylenesand ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, and particularly A-C 5180, A-C575, A-C 573, A-C 655, and A-C 395, commercially available fromHoneywell; Nordel® IP rubber, Elite® polyethylenes, Engage® elastomers,and Amplify® functional polymers, and particularly Amplify® GR 207, GR208, GR 209, GR 213, GR 216, GR 320, GR 380, and EA 100, commerciallyavailable from The Dow Chemical Company; Enable® metallocenepolyethylenes, Exact® plastomers, Vistamaxx® propylene-based elastomers,and Vistalon® EPDM rubber, commercially available from ExxonMobilChemical Company; Starflex® metallocene linear low density polyethylene,commercially available from LyondellBasell; Elvaloy® HP4051, HP441,HP661 and HP662 ethylene-butyl acrylate-carbon monoxide polymers andElvaloy® 741, 742 and 4924 ethylene-vinyl acetate-carbon monoxidepolymers, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; Evatane® ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers having a vinyl acetatecontent of from 18 to 42%, commercially available from ArkemaCorporation; Elvax® ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers having a vinylacetate content of from 7.5 to 40%, commercially available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company; Vamac® G terpolymer of ethylene,methylacrylate and a cure site monomer, commercially available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Vistalon® EPDM rubbers, commerciallyavailable from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Kraton® styrenic blockcopolymers, and particularly Kraton® FG1901GT, FG1924GT, and RP6670GT,commercially available from Kraton Performance Polymers Inc.; Septon®styrenic block copolymers, commercially available from Kuraray Co.,Ltd.; Hytrel® polyester elastomers, and particularly Hytrel® 3078, 4069,and 556, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; Riteflex® polyester elastomers, commercially available fromCelanese Corporation; Pebax® thermoplastic polyether block amides, andparticularly Pebax® 2533, 3533, 4033, and 5533, commercially availablefrom Arkema Inc.; Affinity® and Affinity® GA elastomers, Versify®ethylene-propylene copolymer elastomers, and Infuse® olefin blockcopolymers, commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company;Exxelor® polymer resins, and particularly Exxelor® PE 1040, PO 1015, PO1020, VA 1202, VA 1801, VA 1803, and VA 1840, commercially availablefrom ExxonMobil Chemical Company; and Royaltuf® EPDM, and particularlyRoyaltuf®498 maleic anhydride modified polyolefin based on an amorphousEPDM and Royaltuf® 485 maleic anhydride modified polyolefin based on ansemi-crystalline EPDM, commercially available from Chemtura Corporation.Additional examples of particularly suitable commercially availableelastomeric polymers include, but are not limited to, those given inTable 2 below.

TABLE 2 Non-Acid Elastomeric Polymers and Properties. Melt Index %Maleic (2.16 kg, 190° C., % Ester Anhydride g/10 min) Polyethylene ButylAcrylates Lotader ® 3210 6 3.1 5 Lotader ® 4210 6.5 3.6 9 Lotader ® 341017 3.1 5 Lotryl ® 17BA04 16-19 0 3.5-4.5 Lotryl ® 35BA320 33-37 0260-350 Elvaloy ® AC 3117 17 0 1.5 Elvaloy ® AC 3427 27 0 4 Elvaloy ® AC34035 35 0 40 Polyethylene Methyl Acrylates Lotader ® 4503 19 0.3 8Lotader ® 4603 26 0.3 8 Lotader ® AX 8900 26 8% GMA 6 Lotryl ® 24MA0223-26 0 1-3 Elvaloy ® AC 12024S 24 0 20 Elvaloy ® AC 1330 30 0 3Elvaloy ® AC 1335 35 0 3 Elvaloy ® AC 1224 24 0 2 Polyethylene EthylAcrylates Lotader ® 6200 6.5 2.8 40 Lotader ® 8200 6.5 2.8 200 Lotader ®LX 4110 5 3.0 5 Lotader ® HX 8290 17 2.8 70 Lotader ® 5500 20 2.8 20Lotader ® 4700 29 1.3 7 Lotader ® 4720 29 0.3 7 Elvaloy ® AC 2116 16 0 1

In the plasticized HNP compositions, the acid polymer and non-acidpolymer are combined and reacted with a cation source, such that atleast 80% of all acid groups present are neutralized. The resultingplasticized HNP composition also includes a plasticizer as describedfurther below. The present invention is not meant to be limited by aparticular order for combining and reacting the acid polymer, non-acidpolymer and cation source. In a particular embodiment, the fatty acid ormetal salt thereof is used in an amount such that the fatty acid ormetal salt thereof is present in the HNP composition in an amount offrom 10 wt % to 60 wt %, or within a range having a lower limit of 10 or20 or 30 or 40 wt % and an upper limit of 40 or 50 or 60 wt %, based onthe total weight of the HNP composition. Suitable cation sources andfatty acids and metal salts thereof are further disclosed above.

In another particular aspect of this embodiment, the acid polymer is anethylene-acrylic acid polymer having an acid content of 19 wt % orgreater, the non-acid polymer is a metallocene-catalyzed ethylene-butenecopolymer, optionally modified with maleic anhydride, the cation sourceis magnesium, and the fatty acid or metal salt thereof is magnesiumoleate present in the composition in an amount of 20 to 50 wt %, basedon the total weight of the composition. This preferred HNP compositionis treated with a plasticizer as described further below.

As discussed above, the ethylene acid copolymer may be blended withother materials including, but not limited to, partially- andfully-neutralized ionomers optionally blended with a maleicanhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer, graft copolymers of ionomer andpolyamide, and the following non-ionomeric polymers, includinghomopolymers and copolymers thereof, as well as their derivatives thatare compatibilized with at least one grafted or copolymerized functionalgroup, such as maleic anhydride, amine, epoxy, isocyanate, hydroxyl,sulfonate, phosphonate, and the like. Other suitable materials that maybe blended with the ethylene acid copolymer include, for example thefollowing polymers (including homopolymers, copolymers, and derivativesthereof):

-   -   (a) polyesters, particularly those modified with a        compatibilizing group such as sulfonate or phosphonate,        including modified poly(ethylene terephthalate), modified        poly(butylene terephthalate), modified poly(propylene        terephthalate), modified poly(trimethylene terephthalate),        modified poly(ethylene naphthenate), and those disclosed in U.S.        Pat. Nos. 6,353,050, 6,274,298, and 6,001,930, the entire        disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by        reference, and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (b) polyamides, polyamide-ethers, and polyamide-esters, and        those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,187,864, 6,001,930, and        5,981,654, the entire disclosures of which are hereby        incorporated herein by reference, and blends of two or more        thereof;    -   (c) polyurethanes, polyureas, polyurethane-polyurea hybrids, and        blends of two or more thereof;    -   (d) fluoropolymers, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.        5,691,066, 6,747,110 and 7,009,002, the entire disclosures of        which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and blends of        two or more thereof;    -   (e) non-ionomeric acid polymers, such as E/X- and E/X/Y-type        polymers, wherein E is an olefin (e.g., ethylene), X is a        carboxylic acid such as acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic, maleic,        fumaric, or itaconic acid, and Y is a softening comonomer such        as vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids wherein the acid        has from 2 to 10 carbons, alkyl ethers wherein the alkyl group        has from 1 to 10 carbons, and alkyl alkylacrylates such as alkyl        methacrylates wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 10 carbons;        and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (f) metallocene-catalyzed polymers, such as those disclosed in        U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,274,669, 5,919,862, 5,981,654, and 5,703,166,        the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein        by reference, and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (g) polystyrenes, such as poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride),        acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, poly(styrene sulfonate),        polyethylene styrene, and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (h) polypropylenes and polyethylenes, particularly grafted        polypropylene and grafted polyethylenes that are modified with a        functional group, such as maleic anhydride of sulfonate, and        blends of two or more thereof;    -   (i) polyvinyl chlorides and grafted polyvinyl chlorides, and        blends of two or more thereof;    -   (j) polyvinyl acetates, preferably having less than about 9% of        vinyl acetate by weight, and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (k) polycarbonates, blends of        polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, blends of        polycarbonate/polyurethane, blends of polycarbonate/polyester,        and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (l) polyvinyl alcohols, and blends of two or more thereof;    -   (m) polyethers, such as polyarylene ethers, polyphenylene        oxides, block copolymers of alkenyl aromatics with vinyl        aromatics and poly(amic ester)s, and blends of two or more        thereof;    -   (n) polyimides, polyetherketones, polyamideimides, and blends of        two or more thereof;    -   (o) polycarbonate/polyester copolymers and blends; and    -   (p) combinations of any two or more of the above thermoplastic        polymers.

Suitable ionomeric compositions comprise one or more acid polymers, eachof which is partially- or fully-neutralized, and optionally additives,fillers, and/or melt-flow modifiers. Suitable acid polymers are salts ofhomopolymers and copolymers of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- ordicarboxylic acids, and combinations thereof, optionally including asoftening monomer, and preferably having an acid content (prior toneutralization) of from 1 wt % to 30 wt %, more preferably from 5 wt %to 20 wt %. The acid polymer is preferably neutralized to 70% or higher,including up to 100%, with a suitable cation source, such as metalcations and salts thereof, organic amine compounds, ammonium, andcombinations thereof. Preferred cation sources are metal cations andsalts thereof, wherein the metal is preferably lithium, sodium,potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, tin, zinc, aluminum,manganese, nickel, chromium, copper, or a combination thereof.

Suitable additives and fillers include, for example, blowing and foamingagents, optical brighteners, coloring agents, fluorescent agents,whitening agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, defoaming agents,processing aids, mica, talc, nanofillers, antioxidants, stabilizers,softening agents, fragrance components, impact modifiers, acid copolymerwax, surfactants; inorganic fillers, such as zinc oxide, titaniumdioxide, tin oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, barium sulfate, zincsulfate, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate, barium carbonate, mica,talc, clay, silica, lead silicate, and the like; high specific gravitymetal powder fillers, such as tungsten powder, molybdenum powder, andthe like; regrind, i.e., core material that is ground and recycled; andnano-fillers. Suitable melt-flow modifiers include, for example, fattyacids and salts thereof, polyamides, polyesters, polyacrylates,polyurethanes, polyethers, polyureas, polyhydric alcohols, andcombinations thereof.

Suitable ionomeric compositions include blends of highly neutralizedpolymers (i.e., neutralized to 70% or higher) with partially neutralizedionomers as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006/0128904, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. Suitable ionomeric compositions alsoinclude blends of one or more partially- or fully-neutralized polymerswith additional thermoplastic and thermoset materials, including, butnot limited to, non-ionomeric acid copolymers, engineeringthermoplastics, fatty acid/salt-based highly neutralized polymers,polybutadienes, polyurethanes, polyureas, polyesters,polycarbonate/polyester blends, thermoplastic elastomers, maleicanhydride-grafted metallocene-catalyzed polymers, and other conventionalpolymeric materials. Suitable ionomeric compositions are furtherdisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,653,382, 6,756,436,6,777,472, 6,894,098, 6,919,393, and 6,953,820, the entire disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Examples of commercially available thermoplastics suitable for formingcore layers of golf balls disclosed herein include, but are not limitedto, Pebax® thermoplastic polyether block amides, commercially availablefrom Arkema Inc.; Surlyn® ionomer resins, Hytrel® thermoplasticpolyester elastomers, and ionomeric materials sold under the trade namesDuPont® HPF 1000 and HPF 2000, HPF AD 1035, HPF AD 1035 Soft, HPF AD1040, all of which are commercially available from E. I. du Pont deNemours and Company; Iotek® ionomers, commercially available fromExxonMobil Chemical Company; Amplify 10 ionomers of ethylene acrylicacid copolymers, commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company;Clarix® ionomer resins, commercially available from A. Schulman Inc.;Elastollan® polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, commerciallyavailable from BASF; and Xylex® polycarbonate/polyester blends,commercially available from SABIC Innovative Plastics.

The thermoplastic compositions, which are described further below asbeing suitable for making cover layers, are also suitable for formingthe core and cover layers of the golf balls herein, once thecompositions are plasticized per this invention.

In a particular embodiment, the plasticized thermoplastic core or covercomposition comprises a material selected from the group consisting ofpartially- and fully-neutralized ionomers optionally blended with amaleic anhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer, polyesters, polyamides,polyethers, and blends of two or more thereof and plasticizer.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized thermoplastic core orcover composition is a blend of two or more ionomers and plasticizer. Ina particular aspect of this embodiment, the thermoplastic composition isa 50 wt %/50 wt % blend of two different partially-neutralizedethylene/methacrylic acid polymers.

In another particular embodiment, the plasticized thermoplastic core orcover composition is a blend of one or more ionomers and a maleicanhydride-grafted non-ionomeric polymer and plasticizer. In a particularaspect of this embodiment, the non-ionomeric polymer is ametallocene-catalyzed polymer. In another particular aspect of thisembodiment, the ionomer is a partially-neutralized ethylene/methacrylicacid polymer and the non-ionomeric polymer is a maleic anhydride-graftedmetallocene-catalyzed polymer. In another particular aspect of thisembodiment, the ionomer is a partially-neutralized ethylene/methacrylicacid polymer and the non-ionomeric polymer is a maleic anhydride-graftedmetallocene-catalyzed polyethylene.

The plasticized thermoplastic core layer is optionally treated oradmixed with a thermoset diene composition to reduce or prevent flowupon overmolding. Optional treatments may also include the addition ofperoxide to the material prior to molding, or a post-molding treatmentwith, for example, a crosslinking solution, electron beam, gammaradiation, isocyanate or amine solution treatment, or the like. Suchtreatments may prevent the intermediate layer from melting and flowingor “leaking” out at the mold equator, as the thermoset outer core layeris molded thereon at a temperature necessary to crosslink the outer corelayer, which is typically from 280° F. to 360° F. for a period of about5 to 30 minutes.

Suitable thermoplastic core compositions, which are plasticized inaccordance with the present invention, are further disclosed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,919,100, 6,872,774 and 7,074,137, theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As discussed above, in one preferred embodiment, at least 70% of theacid groups in the acid copolymer are neutralized, and these materialsare referred to as HNP materials herein. However, it is understood thatother acid copolymer compositions may be used in accordance with thepresent invention. For example, acid copolymer compositions having acidgroups that are neutralized from about 20% to about less than 70% may beused, and these materials may be referred to as partially-neutralizedionomers. For example, the partially-neutralized ionomers may have aneutralization level of about 30% to about 65%, and more particularlyabout 35% to 60%.

Preferred ionomers are salts of O/X- and O/X/Y-type acid copolymers,wherein O is an α-olefin, X is a C₃-C₈ α,β-ethylenically unsaturatedcarboxylic acid, and Y is a softening monomer. O is preferably selectedfrom ethylene and propylene. X is preferably selected from methacrylicacid, acrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid.Methacrylic acid and acrylic acid are particularly preferred. Y ispreferably selected from (meth) acrylate and alkyl (meth) acrylateswherein the alkyl groups have from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, including, butnot limited to, n-butyl (meth) acrylate, isobutyl (meth) acrylate,methyl (meth) acrylate, and ethyl (meth) acrylate.

Preferred O/X and O/X/Y-type copolymers include, without limitation,ethylene acid copolymers, such as ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid,ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/maleic anhydride, ethylene/(meth)acrylicacid/maleic acid mono-ester, ethylene/maleic acid, ethylene/maleic acidmono-ester, ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/n-butyl (meth)acrylate,ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/iso-butyl (meth)acrylate,ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/methyl (meth)acrylate,ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/ethyl (meth)acrylate terpolymers, and thelike. The term, “copolymer,” as used herein, includes polymers havingtwo types of monomers, those having three types of monomers, and thosehaving more than three types of monomers. Preferred α, β-ethylenicallyunsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids are (meth) acrylic acid,ethacrylic acid, maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, itaconicacid. (Meth) acrylic acid is most preferred. As used herein, “(meth)acrylic acid” means methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid. Likewise,“(meth) acrylate” means methacrylate and/or acrylate.

The O/X or O/X/Y-type copolymer is at least partially neutralized with acation source. Suitable cation sources include, but are not limited to,metal ion sources, such as compounds of alkali metals, alkaline earthmetals, transition metals, and rare earth elements; ammonium salts andmonoamine salts; and combinations thereof. Preferred cation sources arecompounds of magnesium, sodium, potassium, cesium, calcium, barium,manganese, copper, zinc, lead, tin, aluminum, nickel, chromium, lithium,and rare earth metals.

Also, as discussed above, it is recognized that the cation source isoptional, and non-neutralized or lowly-neutralized compositions may beused. For example, acid copolymers having 0% to less than 20%neutralization levels may be used. Acid copolymer compositionscontaining plasticizers and having zero percent of the acid groupsneutralized may be used per this invention. Also, acid copolymer ionomercompositions containing plasticizers, wherein 1 to 19% of the acidgroups are neutralized, may be used. Particularly, acid copolymershaving about about 3% to about 18% and more particularly about 6% toabout 15% neutralization levels may be used in accordance with thisinvention.

It is also recognized that acid copolymer blends may be preparedincluding, but not limited to, acid copolymer compositions formed from:i) blends of two or more partially-neutralized ionomers; ii) blends oftwo or more highly-neutralized ionomers; iii) blends of two or morenon-neutralized acid copolymers and/or lowly-neutralized ionomers; iv)blends of one or more highly-neutralized ionomers with one or morepartially-neutralized ionomers, and/or lowly-neutralized ionomers,and/or non-neutralized acid copolymers; v) blends ofpartially-neutralized ionomers with one or more highly-neutralizedionomers, and/or lowly-neutralized ionomers, and/or non-neutralized acidcopolymers.

Plasticizers for Making Thermoplastic Compositions

As discussed above, the ethylene acid copolymer compositions of thisinvention contain a plasticizer. Adding the plasticizers helps to reducethe glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composition. The glasstransition in a polymer is a temperature range below which a polymer isrelatively brittle and above which it is rubber-like. In addition tolowering the Tg, the plasticizer may also reduce the tan δ in thetemperature range above the Tg. The Tg of a polymer is measured by aDifferential Scanning calorimeter or a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)and the DMA is used to measure tan δ. The plasticizer may also reducethe hardness and compression of the composition when compared to itsnon-plasticized condition. The effects of adding a plasticizer to theethylene acid copolymer composition on Tg, flex modulus, hardness, andother physical properties are discussed further below.

The ethylene acid copolymer compositions may contain one or moreplasticizers. The plasticizers that may be used in the ethylene acidcopolymer compositions of this invention include, for example,N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (BBSA); N-ethylbenzenesulfonamide (EBSA);N-propylbenzenesulfonamide (PBSA); N-butyl-N-dodecylbenzenesulfonamide(BDBSA); N,N-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide (DMBSA);p-methylbenzenesulfonamide; o,p-toluene sulfonamide; p-toluenesulfonamide; 2-ethylhexyl-4-hydroxybenzoate;hexadecyl-4-hydroxybenzoate; 1-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate; dioctylphthalate; diisodecyl phthalate; di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate; andtri-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate; and blends thereof.

In one preferred version, the plasticizer is selected from the group ofpolytetramethylene ether glycol (available from BASF under thetradename, PoIyTHF™ 250); propylene carbonate (available from HuntsmanCorp., under the tradename, Jeffsol™ PC); and/or dipropyleneglycoldibenzoate (available from Eastman Chemical under the tradename,Benzoflex™ 284). Mixtures of these plasticizers also may be used.

Other suitable plasticizer compounds include benzene mono-, di-, andtricarboxylic acid esters. Phthalates such as Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Di-n-butyl phthalate(DnBP, DBP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP),Dioctyl phthalate (DnOP), Diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP), Diethyl phthalate(DEP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and Di-n-hexyl phthalate, and blendsthereof are suitable. Iso- and terephthalates such as Dioctylterephthalate and Dinonyl isophthalate may be used. Also appropriate aretrimellitates such as Trimethyl trimellitate (TMTM),Tri-(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate (TOTM),Tri-(n-octyl,n-decyl) trimellitate,Tri-(heptyl,nonyl) trimellitate, Tri-n-octyl trimellitate; as well asbenzoates, including: 2-ethylhexyl-4-hydroxy benzoate, n-octyl benzoate,methyl benzoate, and ethyl benzoate, and blends thereof

Also suitable are alkyl diacid esters commonly based on C4-C12 alkyldicarboxylic acids such as adipic, sebacic, azelaic, and maleic acidssuch as: Bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA), Dimethyl adipate (DMAD),Monomethyl adipate (MMAD), Dioctyl adipate (DOA), Dibutyl sebacate(DBS), Dibutyl maleate (DBM), Diisobutyl maleate (DIBM), Dioctylsebacate (DOS), and blends thereof. Also, esters based on glycols,polyglycols and polyhydric alcohols such as poly(ethylene glycol) mono-and di-esters, cyclohexanedimethanol esters, sorbitol derivatives; andtriethylene glycol dihexanoate, diethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate,tetraethylene glycol diheptanoate, and ethylene glycol dioleate, andblends thereof may be used.

Fatty acids, fatty acid salts, fatty acid amides, and fatty acid estersalso may be used in the compositions of this invention. Compounds suchas stearic, oleic, ricinoleic, behenic, myristic, linoleic, palmitic,and lauric acid esters, salts, and mono- and bis-amides can be used.Ethyl oleate, butyl stearate, methyl acetylricinoleate, zinc oleate,ethylene bis-oleamide, and stearyl erucamide are suitable. Suitablefatty acid salts include, for example, metal stearates, erucates,laurates, oleates, palmitates, pelargonates, and the like. For example,fatty acid salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, magnesiumstearate, barium stearate, and the like can be used. Fatty alcohols andacetylated fatty alcohols are also suitable, as are carbonate esterssuch as propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate. Mixtures of any ofthe plasticizers described herein also may be used in accordance withthis invention. In a particularly preferred version, the fatty acidester is an alkyl oleate selected from the group consisting of methyl,propyl, ethyl, butyl, octyl, and decyl oleates. For example, in oneversion, ethyl oleate is used as the plasticizer. In another version,butyl oleate or octyl oleate is used in the composition. Suitablecommercially-available fatty acids include, for example, SylFat™ FA2Tall Fatty Acid, available from Arizona Chemical. The fatty acidcomposition includes 2% saturated, 50% oleic, 37% linoleic(non-conjugated), and 7% linoleic (conjugated) fatty acids; and 4% otherfatty acids. This fatty acid typically has an acid value in the range of195 to 205 mg KOH/gm.

Glycerol-based esters such as soy-bean, tung, or linseed oils or theirepoxidized derivatives or blends thereof can also be used asplasticizers in the present invention, as can polymeric polyesterplasticizers formed from the esterification reaction of diacids anddiglycols as well as from the ring-opening polymerization reaction ofcaprolactones with diacids or diglycols. Citrate esters and acetylatedcitrate esters are also suitable. Glycerol mono-, di-, and tri-oleatesmay be used per this invention, and in one preferred embodiment,glycerol trioleate is used as the plasticizer.

Dicarboxylic acid molecules containing both a carboxylic acid ester anda carboxylic acid salt can perform suitably as plasticizers. Themagnesium salt of mono-methyl adipate and the zinc salt of mono-octylglutarate are two such examples for this invention. Tri- andtetra-carboxylic acid esters and salts can also be used.

Also envisioned as suitable plasticizers are organophosphate andorganosulfur compounds such as tricresyl phosphate (TCP), tributylphosphate(TBP), octyldiphenyl phosphate, alkyl sulfonic acid phenylesters (ASE); and blends thereof; and sulfonamides such as N-ethyltoluene sulfonamide,N-(2-hydroxypropyl) benzene sulfonamide, N-(n-butyl)benzene sulfonamide. Furthermore, thioester and thioether variants ofthe plasticizer compounds mentioned above are suitable.

Non-ester plasticizers such as alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, glycols,polyglycols, and polyethers also are suitable materials forplasticization. Materials such as polytetramethylene ether glycol,poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(propylene glycol), oleyl alcohol, andcetyl alcohol can be used. Hydrocarbon compounds, both saturated andunsaturated, linear or cyclic can be used such as mineral oils,microcrystalline waxes, or low-molecular weight polybutadiene.Halogenated hydrocarbon compounds can also be used.

Other examples of plasticizers that may be used in the ethylene acidcopolymer composition of this invention include butylbenzenesulphonamide(BBSA), ethylhexyl para-hydroxybenzoate (EHPB) and decylhexylpara-hydroxybenzoate (DHPB), as disclosed in Montanari et al., U.S. Pat.No. 6,376,037, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Esters and alkylamides such as phthalic acid esters including dimethylphthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diheptyl phthalate,di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate,ditridecyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate,diisononyl phthalate, ethylphthalylethyl glycolate, butylphthalylbutylglycolate, diundecyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl tetrahydrophthalate asdisclosed in Isobe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,538,099, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference, also may be used.

Jacques et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,185, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference, discloses sulphonamides such asN-butylbenzenesulphonamide, ethyltoluene-suiphonamide,N-cyclohexyltoluenesulphonamide, 2-ethylhexyl-para-hydroxybenzoate,2-decylhexyl-para-hydroxybenzoate, oligoethyleneoxytetrahydrofurfurylalcohol, or oligoethyleneoxy malonate; esters of hydroxybenzoic acid;esters or ethers of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and esters of citricacid or hydroxymalonic acid; and these plasticizers also may be used.

Sulfonamides also may be used in the present invention, and thesematerials are described in Fish, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,297,737,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Examples ofsuch sulfonamides include N-alkyl benzenesulfonamides andtoluenesufonamides, particularly N-butylbenzenesulfonamide,N-(2-hydroxypropyl)benzenesulfonamide, N-ethyl-o-toluenesulfonamide,N-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonamide, o-toluenesulfonamide,p-toluenesulfonamide. Such sulfonamide plasticizers also are describedin Hochstetter et al., US Patent Application Publication 2010/0183837,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As noted above, the fatty acid esters are particularly preferredplasticizers in the present invention. It has been found that the fattyacid esters perform well as plasticizers in the ethylene acid copolymercomposition. The fatty acid esters have several advantageous properties.For example, the fatty acid esters are compatible with the ethylene acidcopolymers and they tend to blend uniformly and completely with the acidcopolymer. Also, the fatty acid esters tend to improve the resiliencyand/or compression of the composition as discussed further below. Theethylene acid copolymer/plasticizer compositions may contain otheringredients that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics of the composition. For example, mineral fillers may beadded as discussed above. In one particular version, the compositionconsists essentially of ethylene acid copolymer and plasticizer,particularly a fatty acid ester. In another particular version, thecomposition consists essentially of ethylene acid copolymer, cationsource sufficient to neutralize at least 20% of the acid groups presentin the composition, and plasticizer, particularly a fatty acid ester.

One method of preparing the fatty acid ester involves reacting the fattyacid or mixture of fatty acids with a corresponding alcohol. The alcoholcan be any alcohol including, but not limited to, linear, branched, andcyclic alcohols. The fatty acid ester is commonly a methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, octyl, or other alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid thatcontains from 4 to 30 carbon atoms. In the present invention, ethyl,butyl, octyl, and decyl esters and particularly ethyl oleate, butyloleate, and octyl oleate are preferred fatty acid esters because oftheir properties. The carboxylic acid may be saturated or unsaturated.Examples of suitable saturated carboxylic acids, that is, carboxylicacids in which the carbon atoms of the alkyl chain are connected bysingle bonds, include but are not limited to butyric acid (chain lengthof C₄ and molecular weight of 88.1); capric acid (C₁₀ and MW of 172.3);lauric acid (C₁₂ and MW of 200.3); myristic acid (C₁₄ and MW of 228.4);palmitic acid (C₁₆ and MW of 256.4); stearic acid (C₁₈ and MW of 284.5);and behenic acid (C₂₂ and MW of 340.6). Examples of suitable unsaturatedcarboxylic acids, that is, a carboxylic acid in which there is one ormore double bonds between the carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, includebut are not limited to oleic acid (chain length and unsaturation C18:1;and MW of 282.5); linoleic acid (C18:2 and MW of 280.5; linolenic acid(C18:3 and MW of 278.4); and erucic acid (C22:1 and MW of 338.6).

It is believed that the plasticizer should be added in a sufficientamount to the ethylene acid copolymer composition so there is asubstantial change in the stiffness and/or hardness of the ethylene acidcopolymer. Thus, although the concentration of plasticizer may be aslittle as 1% by weight to form some ethylene acid copolymer compositionsper this invention, it is preferred that the concentration be relativelygreater. For example, it is preferred that the concentration of theplasticizer be at least 3 weight percent (wt. %). More particularly, itis preferred that the plasticizer be present in an amount within a rangehaving a lower limit of 1% or 3% or 5% or 7% or 8% or 10% or 12% or 15%or 18% and an upper limit of 20% or 22% or 25% or 30% or 35% or 40% or42% or 50% or 55% or 60% or 66% or 71% or 75% or 80%. In one preferredembodiment, the concentration of plasticizer falls within the range ofabout 7% to about 75%, preferably about 9% to about 55%, and morepreferably about 15% to about 50%.

It is believed that adding the plasticizer to the ethylene acidcopolymer helps make the composition softer and more rubbery. Adding theplasticizers to the composition helps decrease the stiffness of thecomposition. That is, the plasticizer helps lower the flex modulus ofthe composition. The flex modulus refers to the ratio of stress tostrain within the elastic limit (when measured in the flexural mode) andis similar to tensile modulus. This property is used to indicate thebending stiffness of a material. The flexural modulus, which is amodulus of elasticity, is determined by calculating the slope of thelinear portion of the stress-strain curve during the bending test. Ifthe slope of the stress-strain curve is relatively steep, the materialhas a relatively high flexural modulus meaning the material resistsdeformation. The material is more rigid. If the slope is relativelyflat, the material has a relatively low flexural modulus meaning thematerial is more easily deformed. The material is more flexible. Theflex modulus can be determined in accordance with ASTM D790 standardamong other testing procedures. Thus, in one embodiment, the firstethylene acid copolymer (containing ethylene acid copolymer only)composition has a first flex modulus value and the second ethylene acidcopolymer (containing ethylene acid copolymer and plasticizer)composition has a second flex modulus value, wherein the second flexmodulus value is at least 1% less; or at least 2% less; or at least 4%less; or at least 8% less; or at least 10% less than the first modulusvalue.

Plasticized thermoplastic compositions of the present invention are notlimited by any particular method or any particular equipment for makingthe compositions. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is preparedby the following process. The acid copolymer(s), plasticizer, optionalmelt-flow modifier(s), and optional additive(s)/filler(s) aresimultaneously or individually fed into a melt extruder, such as asingle or twin screw extruder. If the acid polymer is to be neutralized,a suitable amount of cation source is then added to achieve the desiredlevel of neutralization neutralized. The acid polymer may be partiallyor fully neutralized prior to the above process. The components areintensively mixed prior to being extruded as a strand from the die-head.Additional methods for incorporating plasticizer into the thermoplasticcompositions herein are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/929,841, as well as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,523,708 and8,523,709, which are fully incorporated by reference herein.

More particularly, in one embodiment, the ethylene acidcopolymer/plasticizer composition has a flex modulus lower limit ofabout 500 (or less), 1,000, 1,600, 2,000, 4,200, 7,500, 9,000, 10,000 or20,000 or 40,000 or 50,000 or 60,000 or 70,000 or 80,000 or 90,000 or100,000; and a flex modulus upper limit of about 110,000 or 120,000 or130,000 psi or 140,000 or 160,000 or 180,000 or 200,000 or 300,000 orgreater. In general, the properties of flex modulus and hardness arerelated, whereby flex modulus measures the material's resistance tobending, and hardness measures the material's resistance to indentation.In general, as the flex modulus of the material increases, the hardnessof the material also increases. As discussed above, adding theplasticizer to the ethylene acid copolymer helps reduce the flex modulusof the composition and it also helps reduce hardness to a certaindegree. Thus, in one embodiment, the ethylene acid copolymer/plasticizercomposition is relatively soft and having a hardness of no greater than40 Shore D or no greater than 55 Shore C. For example, the Shore Dhardness may be within a range having a lower limit of 5 or 8 or 10 or12 or 14 and an upper limit of 28 or 30 or 32 or 34 or 35 or 38 or 40Shore D. The Shore C hardness may be within the range having a lowerlimit of 10 or 13 or 15 or 17 or 19 and an upper limit of 44 or 46 or 48or 50 or 53 or 55 Shore C. In other embodiments, the ethylene acidcopolymer/plasticizer composition is moderately soft having a hardnessof no greater than about 60 Shore D or no greater than 75 Shore C. Forexample, the Shore D hardness may be within a range having a lower limitof 25, 28, 20, 32, 35, 36, 38, or 40, and an upper limit of 42, 45, 48,50, 54, 56, or 60. The Shore C hardness may be within the range ofhaving a lower limit of 30, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, or 43, and an upperlimit of 62, 64, 66, 68, 71, 73 or 75 Shore C. In yet other embodiments,the ethylene acid copolymer/plasticizer composition is moderately hardhaving a hardness no greater than 95 Shore D or no greater than 99 C.For example, the Shore D hardness may be within the range having a lowerlimit of about 42, 44, 47, 51, 53, or 58 and an upper limit of about 60,65, 72, 77, 80, 84, 91, or 95 Shore D. The Shore C hardness may bewithin the range having a lower limit of 57, 59, 62, 66, or 72 and anupper limit of about 75, 78, 84, 87, 90, 93, 95, 97, or 99 Shore C.

It also is believed that adding the plasticizer to the ethylene acidcopolymer composition helps reduce the glass transition temperature (Tg)of the composition in many instances. Thus, in one embodiment, the firstethylene acid copolymer (containing ethylene acid copolymer only)composition has a first Tg value and the second ethylene acid copolymer(containing ethylene acid copolymer and plasticizer) composition has asecond Tg value, wherein the second Tg value is at least 1 degree)(1°less; or at least 2° less; or at least 4° less; or at least 8°; or atleast 10° less than the first Tg value. In other embodiments, the firstTg value and the second Tg value are approximately the same.

In addition, introducing the specific plasticizers of this inventioninto the ethylene acid copolymer composition generally helps to reducethe compression and/or increase the COR of the composition (when moldedinto a solid sphere and tested) versus a non-plasticized composition(when molded into a solid sphere and tested.) Plasticized ethylene acidcopolymer compositions typically show compression values lower, or atmost equal to, non-plasticized compositions while the plasticizedcompositions display COR values that may be higher, or at the leastequal to, non-plasticized compositions. This effect is surprising,because in many conventional compositions, the compression of thecomposition increases as the COR increases. In some instancesplasticization of the composition might produce a slight reduction inthe COR while at the same time reducing the compression to a greaterextent, thereby providing an overall improvement to the compression/CORrelationship over the non-plasticized composition.

More particularly, referring to FIG. 1, the Coefficient of Restitution(CoR) of some sample spheres made of ethylene acid copolymercompositions of this invention are plotted against the Compression ofthe samples. The samples were 1.55″ injection-molded spheres aged twoweeks at 23° C./50% RH. In FIG. 1, the ‘High-Performance Commercial HNPIndex Line” is constructed from the properties of commercially-availablehighly neutralized polymers (HNP) with good resilience-to-hardness andresilience-to-compression relationships, e.g., HPF AD1035, HPFAD1035Soft, and HPF2000. These ethylene acid copolymers are highlyneutralized (about 90% or greater neutralization levels). In particular,the compositions described in the following Index Line Table were usedto construct the Index Line. In FIG. 1, the plot shows resiliency versuscompression only. But, there are also relationships between resiliencyand hardness (Shore C and Shore D) and hardness values for varioussamples are reported in the Examples/Tables below.

Index Line Table Solid Solid Sphere Solid Sphere Sphere Solid SphereShore D Shore C Example COR Compression Hardness Hardness HPF AD10350.822 63 41.7 70.0 HPF AD1035 Soft 0.782 35 35.6 59.6 HPF 2000 0.856 9146.1 76.5 HPF AD1035 - acid copolymer ionomer resin, available from theDuPont Company. HPF AD1035 Soft - acid copolymer ionomer resin,available from the DuPont Company. HPF 2000 - acid copolymer ionomerresin, available from the DuPont Company.

As shown in the Index Line of FIG. 1, the CoR of the HPF sample spheresgenerally decreases as the Compression of the Samples decreases. Thisrelationship between the CoR and Compression in spheres made fromconventional ethlyene acid copolymer ionomers, as demonstrated by theIndex, is generally expected. Normally, the resiliency of a spheredecreases as the compression of the sphere decreases.

Turning to Line A in FIG. 1, the following highly neutralized ethyleneacid copolymer (HNP) compositions are plotted. These ethylene acidcopolymers are highly neutralized (about 90% or greater neutralizationlevels). In particular, the HPF compositions described in the followingTable A were used to construct Line A.

TABLE A HPF Compositions Solid Solid Sphere Solid Sphere Sphere SolidSphere Shore D Shore C Example COR Compression Hardness Hardness HPF2000 0.856 91 46.1 76.5 HPF 2000 with 0.839 68 37.9 68.8 10% EO (90/10)HPF 2000 with 0.810 32 30.2 53.0 20% EO (80/20) HPF 2000 with 0.768 −1222.7 39.4 30% EO (70/30) EO—ethyl oleate (plasticizer)

As expected, the resiliency of the samples comprising Line A generallydecreases as the compression decreases. However, when comparing Line Ato the Index Line, there are some interesting and surprisingrelationships to note. First, each different embodiment of a plasticizedcomposition of this invention (HPF 2000 with EO samples indicated aspoints on Line A) has a higher absolute CoR versus the correspondingpoint on the Index Line at a given compression. (See, for example, thepoint for Sample HPF 2000 with 10% EO versus the corresponding point onthe Index Line). Thus, these samples made from plasticized compositionsof this invention show a greater absolute resiliency than samples madefrom conventional materials at a given compression. Having thisrelatively high resiliency is an advantageous feature. In general, acore with higher resiliency will reach a higher velocity when struck bya golf club and travel longer distances. The “feel” of the ball also isimportant and this generally refers to the sensation that a playerexperiences when striking the ball with the club. The feel of a ball isa difficult property to quantify. Most players prefer balls having asoft feel, because the player experience a more natural and comfortablesensation when their club face makes contact with these balls. The feelof the ball primarily depends upon the hardness and compression of theball.

Secondly, there is an Index value calculated for each of the samplepoints in Line A. The Index value is calculated by subtracting the CoRvalue of the sample point on Line A from the corresponding point on theIndex Line at a given compression. (The Index value can be a positive ornegative number.) As shown, the Index value increases as the CoR andCompression of the samples decrease (i.e., moving from right to leftalong Line A). For instance the Index value is greater for the HPF 2000with 30% EO sample than the Index values for the HPF2000 with 20% and10% EO samples. The slope of Line A is less than the slope of the Index.Thus, the “drop-off” in CoR for a sample as the Compression decreasesfor the samples in Line A is less than the “drop-off” for the samples inthe Index Line.

Next, in Line B of FIG. 2, the following ethylene acid copolymer ionomercompositions are plotted. These ethylene acid copolymers are partiallyneutralized (about 40% neutralization levels). In particular, theSurlyn® compositions described in the following Table B were used toconstruct Line B.

TABLE B Surlyn 9320 Compositions Solid Solid Sphere Solid Sphere SphereSolid Sphere Shore D Shore C Example COR Compression Hardness HardnessSurlyn 9320 0.559 40 37.2 62.1 Surlyn 9320 with 0.620 6 26.3 45.8 10% EO(90/10) Surlyn 9320 with 0.618 −31 24.9 38.4 20% EO (80/20) Surlyn 9320with 0.595 −79 18.7 28.0 30% EO (70/30) Surlyn 9320 is based on acopolymer of ethylene with 23.5% n-butyl acrylate and about 9%methacrylic acid that is about 41% neutralized with a zinc cationsource, available from the DuPont Company. EO—ethyl oleate (plasticizer)

Interestingly, there is an increase in the resiliency of the firstsample point comprising Line B (Surlyn 9320 with 10% EO) versus thecontrol point of Line B (Surlyn 9320) as the compression decreases. And,the resiliency of the first and second sample points (Surlyn 9320 with10% EO and Surlyn 9320 with 20% EO) is approximately the same as thecompression decreases. Although each different embodiment of aplasticized composition of this invention (Surlyn 9320 with EO samplesindicated as points on Line B) has a lower absolute CoR versus thecorresponding point on the Index Line at a given compression, the Indexvalues for Line B are significant and need to be considered. The Indexvalue is calculated by subtracting the CoR value of the sample point onLine B from the corresponding point on the Index Line at a givencompression. (The Index value can be a positive or negative number.)

Particularly, the Index values along Line B increase as the Compressionof the samples decrease (moving from right to left along the graph.) Forinstance the Index value is greater for the Surlyn with 30% EO samplethan the Index values for the Surlyn with 20% EO and 10% EO samples.Significantly, the Index value for the unmodified Surlyn 9320 sample(non-plasticizer containing) is less than the Index value for the Surlyn9320 with 10% EO sample (plasticizer containing). These greater Indexvalues show the improved properties of the samples of this invention. Amaterial made according to this invention is considered to be improvedif its Index number (value) is greater than the Index number (value) ofthe control material (unmodified state) whether or not the material'sabsolute CoR is greater than the CoR of the control material.

Lastly, in Line C of FIG. 2, the following ethylene acid copolymercompositions are plotted. These ethylene acid copolymers arenon-neutralized (0% neutralization levels). In particular, the Nucrel®compositions described in the following Table C were used to constructLine C.

TABLE C Nucrel 9-1 Compositions Solid Solid Sphere Solid Sphere SphereSolid Sphere Shore D Shore C Example COR Compression Hardness HardnessNucrel 9-1 0.449 −37 23.2 40.3 Nucrel 9-1 with 0.501 −67 19.1 26.3 10%EO (90/10) Nucrel 9-1: is a copolymer of ethylene with 23.5% n-butylacrylate, and about 9% methacrylic acid that is non-neutralized,available from the DuPont Company. EO—ethyl oleate (plasticizer)

Like the plotted compositions in Line B, there is an increase in theresiliency of the first sample point comprising Line C (Nucrel 9-1 with10% EO) versus the control point of Line C (Nucrel 9-1) as thecompression decreases. Also, the Nucrel 9-1 with 10% EO sample has alower absolute CoR versus the corresponding point on the Index Line at agiven compression. However, similar to the Index values of Line B, theIndex values along Line C increase as the compression of the samplesdecrease (moving from right to left along the graph.) The Index value iscalculated by subtracting the CoR value of the sample point on Line Cfrom the corresponding point on the Index Line at a given compression.(The Index value can be a positive or negative number.)

These greater Index values show the improved properties of the samplesof this invention. As discussed above, a material made according to thisinvention is considered to have been improved if its Index number(value) is greater than the Index number (value) of the control material(unmodified state) whether or not the material's absolute CoR hasincreased over the CoR of the control material.

As demonstrated by the plot in FIG. 1, the addition of a fatty acidester plasticizer (ethyl oleate) to an acid copolymer or ionomer, makesthat polymer faster (i.e., higher CoR) at a given compression (or agiven hardness) versus the polymer without plasticizer. This allows thecreation of materials that are faster and softer thancommercially-available polymers. This is very important for golf balllayers, where ball speed (i.e., CoR) is needed for distance, but wherefeel (softness or low compression) is also highly desirable to mostgolfers. The ability to make a softer, better feeling golf ball that hashigher CoR than predicted is surprising and highly beneficial.

Referring to FIG. 3, the Soft and Fast Index (SFI) values for theplasticized thermoplastic compositions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(plasticized HPF 2000, Surlyn 9320, and Nucrel 9-1) are plotted againstthe concentration (weight percent) of plasticizer in the composition. Asdemonstrated by the plot in FIG. 3, the SFI values increase for each ofthe sample compositions as the concentration of plasticizer increases.The benefits of having high SFI values are discussed above. Theplasticized thermoplastic compositions of this invention can be used tomake cores having an optimum combination of properties including highresiliency and a soft and comfortable feel.

Outer Core Layer

As discussed above, the inner core is made preferably from a plasticizedthermoplastic composition. Meanwhile, the outer core layer, whichsurrounds the inner core, is formed from a thermoplastic or thermosetcomposition, preferably a thermoset composition and more preferably froma thermoset rubber composition.

Suitable thermoset rubber materials that may be used to form the outercore layer include, but are not limited to, polybutadiene, polyisoprene,ethylene propylene rubber (“EPR”), ethylene-propylene-diene (“EPDM”)rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers (suchas “SI”, “SIS”, “SB”, “SBS”, “SIBS”, and the like, where “S” is styrene,“I” is isobutylene, and “B” is butadiene), polyalkenamers such as, forexample, polyoctenamer, butyl rubber, halobutyl rubber, polystyreneelastomers, polyethylene elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, polyureaelastomers, metallocene-catalyzed elastomers and plastomers, copolymersof isobutylene and p-alkylstyrene, halogenated copolymers of isobutyleneand p-alkylstyrene, copolymers of butadiene with acrylonitrile,polychloroprene, alkyl acrylate rubber, chlorinated isoprene rubber,acrylonitrile chlorinated isoprene rubber, and blends of two or morethereof. Preferably, the outer core layer is formed from a polybutadienerubber composition.

The thermoset rubber composition may be cured using conventional curingprocesses. Suitable curing processes include, for example,peroxide-curing, sulfur-curing, high-energy radiation, and combinationsthereof. Preferably, the rubber composition contains a free-radicalinitiator selected from organic peroxides, high energy radiation sourcescapable of generating free-radicals, and combinations thereof. In onepreferred version, the rubber composition is peroxide-cured. Suitableorganic peroxides include, but are not limited to, dicumyl peroxide;n-butyl-4,4-di(t-butylperoxy) valerate;1,1-di(t-butylperoxy)3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane;2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy) hexane; di-t-butyl peroxide;di-t-amyl peroxide; t-butyl peroxide; t-butyl cumyl peroxide;2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexyne-3;di(2-t-butyl-peroxyisopropyl)benzene; dilauroyl peroxide; dibenzoylperoxide; t-butyl hydroperoxide; and combinations thereof. In aparticular embodiment, the free radical initiator is dicumyl peroxide,including, but not limited to Perkadox BC, commercially available fromAkzo Nobel. Peroxide free-radical initiators are generally present inthe rubber composition in an amount of at least 0.05 parts by weight per100 parts of the total rubber, or an amount within the range having alower limit of 0.05 parts or 0.1 parts or 1 part or 1.25 parts or 1.5parts or 2.5 parts or 5 parts by weight per 100 parts of the totalrubbers, and an upper limit of 2.5 parts or 3 parts or 5 parts or 6parts or 10 parts or 15 parts by weight per 100 parts of the totalrubber. Concentrations are in parts per hundred (phr) unless otherwiseindicated. As used herein, the term, “parts per hundred,” also known as“phr” or “pph” is defined as the number of parts by weight of aparticular component present in a mixture, relative to 100 parts byweight of the polymer component. Mathematically, this can be expressedas the weight of an ingredient divided by the total weight of thepolymer, multiplied by a factor of 100.

The rubber compositions may further include a reactive cross-linkingco-agent. Suitable co-agents include, but are not limited to, metalsalts of unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms;unsaturated vinyl compounds and polyfunctional monomers (e.g.,trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate); phenylene bismaleimide; andcombinations thereof. Particular examples of suitable metal saltsinclude, but are not limited to, one or more metal salts of acrylates,diacrylates, methacrylates, and dimethacrylates, wherein the metal isselected from magnesium, calcium, zinc, aluminum, lithium, and nickel.In a particular embodiment, the co-agent is selected from zinc salts ofacrylates, diacrylates, methacrylates, and dimethacrylates. In anotherparticular embodiment, the agent is zinc diacrylate (ZDA). When theco-agent is zinc diacrylate and/or zinc dimethacrylate, the co-agent istypically included in the rubber composition in an amount within therange having a lower limit of 1 or 5 or 10 or 15 or 19 or 20 parts byweight per 100 parts of the total rubber, and an upper limit of 24 or 25or 30 or 35 or 40 or 45 or 50 or 60 parts by weight per 100 parts of thebase rubber.

Radical scavengers such as a halogenated organosulfur, organicdisulfide, or inorganic disulfide compounds may be added to the rubbercomposition. These compounds also may function as “soft and fastagents.” As used herein, “soft and fast agent” means any compound or ablend thereof that is capable of making a core: 1) softer (having alower compression) at a constant “coefficient of restitution” (COR);and/or 2) faster (having a higher COR at equal compression), whencompared to a core equivalently prepared without a soft and fast agent.Preferred halogenated organosulfur compounds include, but are notlimited to, pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP) and salts of PCTP such as zincpentachlorothiophenol (ZnPCTP). Using PCTP and ZnPCTP in golf ball innercores helps produce softer and faster inner cores. The PCTP and ZnPCTPcompounds help increase the resiliency and the coefficient ofrestitution of the core. In a particular embodiment, the soft and fastagent is selected from ZnPCTP, PCTP, ditolyl disulfide, diphenyldisulfide, dixylyl disulfide, 2-nitroresorcinol, and combinationsthereof.

The rubber composition also may include filler(s) such as materialsselected from carbon black, nanoclays (e.g., Cloisite® and Nanofil®nanoclays, commercially available from Southern Clay Products, Inc., andNanomax® and Nanomer® nanoclays, commercially available from Nanocor,Inc.), talc (e.g., Luzenac HAR® high aspect ratio talcs, commerciallyavailable from Luzenac America, Inc.), glass (e.g., glass flake, milledglass, and microglass), mica and mica-based pigments (e.g., Iriodin®pearl luster pigments, commercially available from The Merck Group), andcombinations thereof. Metal fillers such as, for example, particulate;powders; flakes; and fibers of copper, steel, brass, tungsten, titanium,aluminum, magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, iron, lead, tin, zinc,barium, bismuth, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, and alloys andcombinations thereof also may be added to the rubber composition toadjust the specific gravity of the composition as needed.

In addition, the rubber compositions may include antioxidants to preventthe breakdown of the elastomers. Also, processing aids such as highmolecular weight organic acids and salts thereof may be added to thecomposition. Suitable organic acids are aliphatic organic acids,aromatic organic acids, saturated mono-functional organic acids,unsaturated monofunctional organic acids, multi-unsaturatedmono-functional organic acids, and dimerized derivatives thereof.Particular examples of suitable organic acids include, but are notlimited to, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid,stearic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid,myristic acid, benzoic acid, palmitic acid, phenylacetic acid,naphthalenoic acid, and dimerized derivatives thereof. The organic acidsare aliphatic, mono-functional (saturated, unsaturated, ormulti-unsaturated) organic acids. Salts of these organic acids may alsobe employed. The salts of organic acids include the salts of barium,lithium, sodium, zinc, bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, potassium,strontium, titanium, tungsten, magnesium, cesium, iron, nickel, silver,aluminum, tin, or calcium, salts of fatty acids, particularly stearic,behenic, erucic, oleic, linoelic or dimerized derivatives thereof. It ispreferred that the organic acids and salts of the present invention berelatively non-migratory (they do not bloom to the surface of thepolymer under ambient temperatures) and non-volatile (they do notvolatilize at temperatures required for melt-blending.) Otheringredients such as accelerators (for example, tetra methylthiuram),processing aids, dyes and pigments, wetting agents, surfactants,plasticizers, coloring agents, fluorescent agents, chemical blowing andfoaming agents, defoaming agents, stabilizers, softening agents, impactmodifiers, antiozonants, as well as other additives known in the art maybe added to the rubber composition.

Examples of commercially-available polybutadiene rubbers that can beused in accordance with this invention, include, but are not limited to,BR 01 and BR 1220, available from BST Elastomers of Bangkok, Thailand;SE BR 1220LA and SE BR1203, available from DOW Chemical Co of Midland,Mich.; BUDENE 1207, 1207s, 1208, and 1280 available from Goodyear, Incof Akron, Ohio; BR 01, 51 and 730, available from Japan Synthetic Rubber(JSR) of Tokyo, Japan; BUNA CB 21, CB 22, CB 23, CB 24, CB 25, CB 29MES, CB 60, CB Nd 60, CB 55 NF, CB 70 B, CB KA 8967, and CB 1221,available from Lanxess Corp. of Pittsburgh. Pa.; BR1208, available fromLG Chemical of Seoul, South Korea; UBEPOL BR130B, BR150, BR150B, BR150L,BR230, BR360L, BR710, and VCR617, available from UBE Industries, Ltd. ofTokyo, Japan; EUROPRENE NEOCIS BR 60, INTENE 60 AF and P30AF, andEUROPRENE BR HV80, available from Polimeri Europa of Rome, Italy; AFDENE50 and NEODENE BR40, BR45, BR50 and BR60, available from Karbochem (PTY)Ltd. of Bruma, South Africa; KBR 01, NdBr 40, NdBR-45, NdBr 60, KBR710S, KBR 710H, and KBR 750, available from Kumho Petrochemical Co.,Ltd. Of Seoul, South Korea; DIENE 55NF, 70AC, and 320 AC, available fromFirestone Polymers of Akron, Ohio; and PBR-Nd Group II and Group III,available from Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Inc. of Nizhnekamsk, TartarstanRepublic.

The polybutadiene rubber is used in an amount of at least about 5% byweight based on total weight of composition and is generally present inan amount of about 5% to about 100%, or an amount within a range havinga lower limit of 5% or 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% or 50% and an upperlimit of 55% or 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% or 100%. Preferably, theconcentration of polybutadiene rubber is about 40 to about 95 weightpercent. If desirable, lesser amounts of other thermoset materials maybe incorporated into the base rubber. Such materials include the rubbersdiscussed above, for example, cis-polyisoprene, trans-polyisoprene,balata, polychloroprene, polynorbornene, polyoctenamer, polypentenamer,butyl rubber, EPR, EPDM, styrene-butadiene, and the like.

Core Structure

As discussed above, in one preferred version, a two-piece golf ballconsisting of a core made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition andouter cover is formed. In such two-piece balls, the core may be referredto as a “core”, “center” or “inner core.” In another preferred version,a three-piece golf ball consisting of an inner core made of aplasticized thermoplastic composition, and surrounding outer core layermade of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition, for example,polybutadiene rubber; and an outer cover, which encloses the dual-core,is produced. In such three-piece balls, the inner core may be referredto as the “inner core” or “center” and the inner core and outer corestructure may be referred to as a dual-core, core construction, or coresub-assembly and the like.

As discussed above, golf balls having various constructions may be madein accordance with this invention. In FIG. 4, a perspective view of acore (10) is shown. The core (10) includes a geometric center (12) andouter surface (14). Referring to FIG. 5, one version of a golf ball thatcan be made in accordance with this invention is generally indicated at(18). The ball (18) is a two-piece ball consisting of a core (20) andsurrounding cover (22). As shown in FIG. 6, a three-piece ball (24)consisting of a dual-core (26) having an inner core (center) (26 a) andouter core layer (26 b) surrounded by a single-layered cover (28) isshown. Referring to FIG. 7, in another version, the golf ball (29)contains a dual-core (30) having an inner core (30 a) and outer corelayer (30 b). The dual-core (30) is surrounded by a multi-layered cover(32) having an inner cover layer (32 a) and outer cover layer (32 b).Finally, in FIG. 8, the golf ball (35) contains a dual-core (36) havingan inner core (center) (36 a) and outer core layer (36 b). The dual-core(30) is surrounded by a multi-layered cover (38) having an inner coverlayer (38 a) and outer cover layer (38 b). An intermediate layer (40) isdisposed between the core (36) and cover (38) sub-structures.

The hardness of the core sub-assembly (inner core and outer core layer)is an important property. In general, cores with relatively highhardness values have higher compression and tend to have good durabilityand resiliency. However, some high compression balls are stiff and thismay have a detrimental effect on shot control and placement. Thus, theoptimum balance of hardness in the core sub-assembly needs to beattained.

In one preferred golf ball, the inner core (center) has a “positive”hardness gradient (that is, the outer surface of the inner core isharder than its geometric center); and the outer core layer has a“positive” hardness gradient (that is, the outer surface of the outercore layer is harder than the inner surface of the outer core layer.) Insuch cases where both the inner core and outer core layer each has a“positive” hardness gradient, the outer surface hardness of the outercore layer is preferably greater than the hardness of the geometriccenter of the inner core. In one preferred version, the positivehardness gradient of the inner core is in the range of about 2 to about40 Shore C units and even more preferably about 10 to about 25 Shore Cunits; while the positive hardness gradient of the outer core is in therange of about 2 to about 20 Shore C and even more preferably about 3 toabout 10 Shore C.

In an alternative version, the inner core may have a positive hardnessgradient; and the outer core layer may have a “zero” hardness gradient(that is, the hardness values of the outer surface of the outer corelayer and the inner surface of the outer core layer are substantiallythe same) or a “negative” hardness gradient (that is, the outer surfaceof the outer core layer is softer than the inner surface of the outercore layer.) For example, in one version, the inner core has a positivehardness gradient; and the outer core layer has a negative hardnessgradient in the range of about 2 to about 25 Shore C. In a secondalternative version, the inner core may have a zero or negative hardnessgradient; and the outer core layer may have a positive hardnessgradient. Still yet, in another embodiment, both the inner core andouter core layers have zero or negative hardness gradients.

In general, hardness gradients are further described in Bulpett et al.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,537,529 and 7,410,429, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference. Methods for measuring the hardness ofthe inner core and outer core layers along with other layers in the golfball and determining the hardness gradients of the various layers aredescribed in further detail below. The core layers have positive,negative, or zero hardness gradients defined by hardness measurementsmade at the outer surface of the inner core (or outer surface of theouter core layer) and radially inward towards the center of the innercore (or inner surface of the outer core layer). These measurements aremade typically at 2-mm increments as described in the test methodsbelow. In general, the hardness gradient is determined by subtractingthe hardness value at the innermost portion of the component beingmeasured (for example, the center of the inner core or inner surface ofthe outer core layer) from the hardness value at the outer surface ofthe component being measured (for example, the outer surface of theinner core or outer surface of the outer core layer).

Positive Hardness Gradient.

For example, if the hardness value of the outer surface of the innercore is greater than the hardness value of the inner core's geometriccenter (that is, the inner core has a surface harder than its geometriccenter), the hardness gradient will be deemed “positive” (a largernumber minus a smaller number equals a positive number.) For example, ifthe outer surface of the inner core has a hardness of 67 Shore C and thegeometric center of the inner core has a hardness of 60 Shore C, thenthe inner core has a positive hardness gradient of 7. Likewise, if theouter surface of the outer core layer has a greater hardness value thanthe inner surface of the outer core layer, the given outer core layerwill be considered to have a positive hardness gradient.

Negative Hardness Gradient.

On the other hand, if the hardness value of the outer surface of theinner core is less than the hardness value of the inner core's geometriccenter (that is, the inner core has a surface softer than its geometriccenter), the hardness gradient will be deemed “negative.” For example,if the outer surface of the inner core has a hardness of 68 Shore C andthe geometric center of the inner core has a hardness of 70 Shore C,then the inner core has a negative hardness gradient of 2. Likewise, ifthe outer surface of the outer core layer has a lesser hardness valuethan the inner surface of the outer core layer, the given outer corelayer will be considered to have a negative hardness gradient.

Zero Hardness Gradient.

In another example, if the hardness value of the outer surface of theinner core is substantially the same as the hardness value of the innercore's geometric center (that is, the surface of the inner core hasabout the same hardness as the geometric center), the hardness gradientwill be deemed “zero.” For example, if the outer surface of the innercore and the geometric center of the inner core each has a hardness of65 Shore C, then the inner core has a zero hardness gradient. Likewise,if the outer surface of the outer core layer has a hardness valueapproximately the same as the inner surface of the outer core layer, theouter core layer will be considered to have a zero hardness gradient.

More particularly, the term, “positive hardness gradient” as used hereinmeans a hardness gradient of positive 3 Shore C or greater, preferably 7Shore C or greater, more preferably 10 Shore C, and even more preferably20 Shore C or greater. The term, “zero hardness gradient” as used hereinmeans a hardness gradient of less than 3 Shore C, preferably less than 1Shore C and may have a value of zero or negative 1 to negative 10 ShoreC. The term, “negative hardness gradient” as used herein means ahardness value of less than zero, for example, negative 3, negative 5,negative 7, negative 10, negative 15, or negative 20 or negative 25. Theterms, “zero hardness gradient” and “negative hardness gradient” may beused herein interchangeably to refer to hardness gradients of negative 1to negative 10.

The inner core preferably has a geometric center hardness(H_(inner core center)) Of about 5 Shore D or greater. For example, the(H_(inner core center)) may be in the range of about 5 to about 88 ShoreD and more particularly within a range having a lower limit of about 5or 10 or 18 or 20 or 26 or 30 or 34 or 36 or 38 or 42 or 48 or 50 or 52Shore D and an upper limit of about 54 or 56 or 58 or 60 or 62 or 64 or68 or 70 or 74 or 76 or 80 or 82 or 84 or 88 Shore D. In anotherexample, the center hardness of the inner core (H_(inner core center)),as measured in Shore C units, is preferably about 10 Shore C or greater;for example, the H_(inner core center) may have a lower limit of about10 or 14 or 16 or 20 or 23 or 24 or 28 or 30 or 31 or 34 or 37 or 40 or44 Shore C and an upper limit of about 46 or 48 or 50 or 51 or 53 or 55or 58 or 61 or 62 or 65 or 68 or 69 or 70 or 71 or 74 or 76 or 78 or 79or 80 or 84 or 90 Shore C. Concerning the outer surface hardness of theinner core (H_(inner core surface)), this hardness is preferably about12 Shore D or greater; for example, the H_(inner core surface) may fallwithin a range having a lower limit of about 12 or 15 or 18 or 20 or 22or 26 or 30 or 34 or 36 or 38 or 42 or 48 or 50 or 52 Shore D and anupper limit of about 54 or 56 or 58 or 60 or 62 or 70 or 72 or 75 or 78or 80 or 82 or 84 or 86 or 90 Shore D. In one version, the outer surfacehardness of the inner core (H_(inner core surface)), as measured inShore C units, has a lower limit of about 13 or 15 or 18 or 20 or 22 or24 or 27 or 28 or 30 or 32 or 34 or 38 or 44 or 47 or 48 Shore C and anupper limit of about 50 or 54 or 56 or 61 or 65 or 66 or 68 or 70 or 73or 76 or 78 or 80 or 84 or 86 or 88 or 90 or 92 Shore C. In anotherversion, the geometric center hardness (H_(inner core center)) is in therange of about 10 Shore C to about 50 Shore C; and the outer surfacehardness of the inner core (H_(inner core surface)) is in the range ofabout 5 Shore C to about 50 Shore C.

On the other hand, the outer core layer preferably has an outer surfacehardness (H_(outer surface of OC)) of about 40 Shore D or greater, andmore preferably within a range having a lower limit of about 40 or 42 or44 or 46 or 48 or 50 or 52 and an upper limit of about 54 or 56 or 58 or60 or 62 or 64 or 70 or 74 or 78 or 80 or 82 or 85 or 87 or 88 or 90Shore D. The outer surface hardness of the outer core layer(H_(outer surface of OC)), as measured in Shore C units, preferably hasa lower limit of about 40 or 42 or 45 or 48 or 50 or 54 or 58 or 60 or63 or 65 or 67 or 70 or 72 or 73 or 76 Shore C, and an upper limit ofabout 78 or 80 or 84 or 87 or 88 or 89 or 90 or 92 or 95 Shore C. And,the inner surface of the outer core layer (H_(inner surface of OC)) ormidpoint hardness of the outer core layer (H_(midpoint of OC)),preferably has a hardness of about 40 Shore D or greater, and morepreferably within a range having a lower limit of about 40 or 42 or 44or 46 or 48 or 50 or 52 and an upper limit of about 54 or 56 or 58 or 60or 62 or 64 or 70 or 74 or 78 or 80 or 82 or 85 or 87 or 88 or 90 ShoreD. The inner surface hardness (H_(inner surface of OC)) or midpointhardness (H_(midpoint of OC)) of the outer core layer, as measured inShore C units, preferably has a lower limit of about 40 or 42 or 44 or45 or 47 or 50 or 52 or 54 or 55 or 58 or 60 or 63 or 65 or 67 or 70 or73 or 75 Shore C, and an upper limit of about 78 or 80 or 85 or 88 or 89or 90 or 92 or 95 Shore C.

The midpoint of a core layer is taken at a point equidistant from theinner surface and outer surface of the layer to be measured, mosttypically an outer core layer. Once one or more core layers surround alayer of interest, the exact midpoint may be difficult to determine,therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, the measurement of“midpoint” hardness of a layer is taken within plus or minus 1 mm of themeasured midpoint of the layer.

In one embodiment, the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer(H_(outer surface of OC)), is less than the outer surface hardness(H_(inner core surface)) or midpoint hardness (H_(midpoint of OC)), theinner core by at least 3 Shore C units and more preferably by at least 5Shore C.

In a second embodiment, the outer surface hardness of the outer corelayer (H_(outer surface of OC)), is greater than the outer surfacehardness (H_(inner core surface)) or midpoint hardness(H_(midpoint of OC)), of the inner core by at least 3 Shore C units andmore preferably by at least 5 Shore C.

As discussed above, the inner core is preferably formed from athermoplastic composition and more preferably an ethylene acidcopolymer/plasticizer composition. And, the outer core layer is formedpreferably from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. Inother embodiments, the outer core layer also may be formed fromthermoplastic compositions, particularly ethylene acidcopolymer/plasticizer compositions of this invention.

The core structure also has a hardness gradient across the entire coreassembly. In one embodiment, the (H_(inner core center)) is in the rangeof about 10 Shore C to about 60 Shore C, preferably about 13 Shore C toabout 55 Shore C; and the (H_(outer surface of OC)) is in the range ofabout 65 to about 96 Shore C, preferably about 68 Shore C to about 94Shore C or about 75 Shore C to about 93 Shore C, to provide a positivehardness gradient across the core assembly. The gradient across the coreassembly will vary based on several factors including, but not limitedto, the dimensions of the inner core, intermediate core, and outer corelayers.

The inner core preferably has a diameter in the range of about 0.100 toabout 1.100 inches. For example, the inner core may have a diameterwithin a range of about 0.100 to about 0.500 inches. In another example,the inner core may have a diameter within a range of about 0.300 toabout 0.800 inches. More particularly, the inner core may have adiameter size with a lower limit of about 0.10 or 0.12 or 0.15 or 0.25or 0.30 or 0.35 or 0.45 or 0.55 inches and an upper limit of about 0.60or 0.65 or 0.70 or 0.80 or 0.90 or 1.00 or 1.10 inches. In one preferredembodiment, the inner core has a diameter of about 1.00 inches. Inanother preferred embodiment, the core has a diameter in the range ofabout 0.5 to about 1.60 inches. For a two-piece ball, the corepreferably has a diameter in the range of about 1.475 to about 1.600inches. In one preferred version of a two-piece ball, the core has adiameter of about 1.580 inches. As far as the outer core layer isconcerned, it preferably has a thickness in the range of about 0.100 toabout 0.750 inches. For example, the lower limit of thickness may beabout 0.050 or 0.100 or 0.150 or 0.200 or 0.250 or 0.300 or 0.340 or0.400 and the upper limit may be about 0.500 or 0.550 or 0.600 or 0.650or 0.700 or 0.750 inches.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has established a maximumweight of 45.93 g (1.62 ounces) for golf balls. For play outside of USGArules, the golf balls can be heavier. In one preferred embodiment, theweight of the multi-layered core is in the range of about 28 to about 38grams. Also, golf balls made in accordance with this invention can be ofany size, although the USGA requires that golf balls used in competitionhave a diameter of at least 1.68 inches. For play outside of USGA rules,the golf balls can be of a smaller size. Normally, golf balls aremanufactured in accordance with USGA requirements and have a diameter inthe range of about 1.68 to about 1.80 inches. As discussed furtherbelow, the golf ball contains a cover which may be multi-layered and inaddition may contain intermediate layers, and the thickness levels ofthese layers also must be considered. Thus, in general, the dual-layercore structure normally has an overall diameter within a range having alower limit of about 1.00 or 1.20 or 1.30 or 1.40 inches and an upperlimit of about 1.58 or 1.60 or 1.62 or 1.66 inches, and more preferablyin the range of about 1.3 to 1.65 inches. In one embodiment, thediameter of the core sub-assembly is in the range of about 1.45 to about1.62 inches.

Cover Structure

The golf ball cores of this invention may be enclosed with one or morecover layers. For example, golf ball having inner and outer cover layersmay be made. In addition, as discussed above, an intermediate layer maybe disposed between the core and cover layers. The cover layerspreferably have good impact durability and wear-resistance. The ethyleneacid copolymer/plasticizer compositions of this invention may be used toform at least one of the intermediate and/or cover layers.

In one particularly preferred version, the golf ball includes amulti-layered cover comprising inner and outer cover layers. The innercover layer is preferably formed from a composition comprising anionomer or a blend of two or more ionomers that helps impart hardness tothe ball. In a particular embodiment, the inner cover layer is formedfrom a composition comprising a high acid ionomer. A particularlysuitable high acid ionomer is Surlyn 8150® (DuPont). Surlyn 8150® is acopolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid, having an acid content of 19wt %, which is 45% neutralized with sodium. In another particularembodiment, the inner cover layer is formed from a compositioncomprising a high acid ionomer and a maleic anhydride-graftednon-ionomeric polymer. A particularly suitable maleic anhydride-graftedpolymer is Fusabond 525D® (DuPont). Fusabond 525D® is a maleicanhydride-grafted, metallocene-catalyzed ethylene-butene copolymerhaving about 0.9 wt % maleic anhydride grafted onto the copolymer. Aparticularly preferred blend of high acid ionomer and maleicanhydride-grafted polymer is an 84 wt %/16 wt % blend of Surlyn 8150®and Fusabond 525D®. Blends of high acid ionomers with maleicanhydride-grafted polymers are further disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,992,135 and 6,677,401, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

The inner cover layer also may be formed from a composition comprising a50/45/5 blend of Surlyn® 8940/Surlyn® 9650/Nucrel® 960, and, in aparticularly preferred embodiment, the composition has a materialhardness of from 80 to 85 Shore C. In yet another version, the innercover layer is formed from a composition comprising a 50/25/25 blend ofSurlyn® 8940/Surlyn® 9650/Surlyn® 9910, preferably having a materialhardness of about 90 Shore C. The inner cover layer also may be formedfrom a composition comprising a 50/50 blend of Surlyn® 8940/Surlyn®9650, preferably having a material hardness of about 86 Shore C. Acomposition comprising a 50/50 blend of Surlyn® 8940 and Surlyn® 7940also may be used. Surlyn® 8940 is an E/MAA copolymer in which the MAAacid groups have been partially neutralized with sodium ions. Surlyn®9650 and Surlyn® 9910 are two different grades of E/MAA copolymer inwhich the MAA acid groups have been partially neutralized with zincions. Nucrel® 960 is an E/MAA copolymer resin nominally made with 15 wt% methacrylic acid.

A wide variety of materials may be used for forming the outer coverincluding, for example, polyurethanes; polyureas; copolymers, blends andhybrids of polyurethane and polyurea; olefin-based copolymer ionomerresins (for example, Surlyn® ionomer resins and DuPont HPF® 1000 andHPF® 2000, commercially available from DuPont; Iotek® ionomers,commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Company; Amplify® IOionomers of ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, commercially availablefrom The Dow Chemical Company; and Clarix® ionomer resins, commerciallyavailable from A. Schulman Inc.); polyethylene, including, for example,low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and highdensity polyethylene; polypropylene; rubber-toughened olefin polymers;acid copolymers, for example, poly(meth)acrylic acid, which do notbecome part of an ionomeric copolymer; plastomers; flexomers;styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers;styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymers; dynamicallyvulcanized elastomers; copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetates;copolymers of ethylene and methyl acrylates; polyvinyl chloride resins;polyamides, poly(amide-ester) elastomers, and graft copolymers ofionomer and polyamide including, for example, Pebax® thermoplasticpolyether block amides, commercially available from Arkema Inc;cross-linked trans-polyisoprene and blends thereof; polyester-basedthermoplastic elastomers, such as Hytrel®, commercially available fromDuPont or RiteFlex®, commercially available from Ticona EngineeringPolymers; polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, such asElastollan®, commercially available from BASF; synthetic or naturalvulcanized rubber; and combinations thereof. Castable polyurethanes,polyureas, and hybrids of polyurethanes-polyureas are particularlydesirable because these materials can be used to make a golf ball havinghigh resiliency and a soft feel. By the term, “hybrids of polyurethaneand polyurea,” it is meant to include copolymers and blends thereof.

The outer cover, as well as the inner cover, may be formed ofcompositions comprising an ionomer or a blend of two or more ionomers asdiscussed above. These ionomer blends include, for example, blends ofSurlyn® ionomers. Blends of Surlyn® and Nucrel® ionomers also can beused. In one preferred cover composition for a two-piece ball, a blendof 60% Surlyn®9945 and 40% Surlyn®8320 is used. Polyurethanes,polyureas, and blends, copolymers, and hybrids of polyurethane/polyureaare also particularly suitable for forming cover layers. When used ascover layer materials, polyurethanes and polyureas can be thermoset orthermoplastic. Thermoset materials can be formed into golf ball layersby conventional casting or reaction injection molding techniques.Thermoplastic materials can be formed into golf ball layers byconventional compression or injection molding techniques.

The compositions used to make any cover layer (for example, inner,intermediate, or outer cover layer) may contain a wide variety offillers and additives to impart specific properties to the ball. Forexample, relatively heavy-weight and light-weight metal fillers such as,particulate; powders; flakes; and fibers of copper, steel, brass,tungsten, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel,iron, lead, tin, zinc, barium, bismuth, bronze, silver, gold, andplatinum, and alloys and combinations thereof may be used to adjust thespecific gravity of the ball. Other additives and fillers include, butare not limited to, optical brighteners, coloring agents, fluorescentagents, whitening agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, surfactants,processing aids, antioxidants, stabilizers, softening agents, fragrancecomponents, plasticizers, impact modifiers, titanium dioxide, clay,mica, talc, glass flakes, milled glass, and mixtures thereof.

The inner cover layer preferably has a material hardness within a rangehaving a lower limit of 70 or 75 or 80 or 82 Shore C and an upper limitof 85 or 86 or 90 or 92 Shore C. The thickness of the intermediate layeris preferably within a range having a lower limit of 0.010 or 0.015 or0.020 or 0.030 inches and an upper limit of 0.035 or 0.045 or 0.080 or0.120 inches. The outer cover layer preferably has a material hardnessof 85 Shore C or less. The thickness of the outer cover layer ispreferably within a range having a lower limit of 0.010 or 0.015 or0.025 inches and an upper limit of 0.035 or 0.040 or 0.055 or 0.080inches. Methods for measuring hardness of the layers in the golf ballare described in further detail below.

A single cover or, preferably, an inner cover layer is formed around theouter core layer. When an inner cover layer is present, an outer coverlayer is formed over the inner cover layer. Most preferably, the innercover is formed from an ionomeric material and the outer cover layer isformed from a polyurethane material, and the outer cover layer has ahardness that is less than that of the inner cover layer. Preferably,the inner cover has a hardness of greater than about 60 Shore D and theouter cover layer has a hardness of less than about 60 Shore D. In analternative embodiment, the inner cover layer is comprised of apartially or fully neutralized ionomer, a thermoplastic polyesterelastomer such as Hytrel™, commercially available form DuPont, athermoplastic polyether block amide, such as Pebax™, commerciallyavailable from Arkema®, Inc., or a thermoplastic or thermosettingpolyurethane or polyurea, and the outer cover layer is comprised of anionomeric material. In this alternative embodiment, the inner coverlayer has a hardness of less than about 60 Shore D and the outer coverlayer has a hardness of greater than about 55 Shore D and the innercover layer hardness is less than the outer cover layer hardness.

As discussed above, the core structure of this invention may be enclosedwith one or more cover layers. In one embodiment, a multi-layered covercomprising inner and outer cover layers is formed, where the inner coverlayer has a thickness of about 0.01 inches to about 0.06 inches, morepreferably about 0.015 inches to about 0.040 inches, and most preferablyabout 0.02 inches to about 0.035 inches. In this version, the innercover layer is formed from a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomerhaving a Shore D hardness of greater than about 55, more preferablygreater than about 60, and most preferably greater than about 65. Theouter cover layer, in this embodiment, preferably has a thickness ofabout 0.015 inches to about 0.055 inches, more preferably about 0.02inches to about 0.04 inches, and most preferably about 0.025 inches toabout 0.035 inches, with a hardness of about Shore D 80 or less, morepreferably 70 or less, and most preferably about 60 or less. The innercover layer is harder than the outer cover layer in this version. Apreferred outer cover layer is a castable or reaction injection moldedpolyurethane, polyurea or copolymer, blend, or hybrid thereof having aShore D hardness of about 40 to about 50. In another multi-layer cover,dual-core embodiment, the outer cover and inner cover layer materialsand thickness are the same but, the hardness range is reversed, that is,the outer cover layer is harder than the inner cover layer. For thisharder outer cover/softer inner cover embodiment, the ionomer resinsdescribed above would preferably be used as outer cover material.

Manufacturing of Golf Balls

The inner core may be formed by any suitable technique includingcompression and injection molding methods. The outer core layer, whichsurrounds the inner core, is formed by molding compositions over theinner core. Compression or injection molding techniques may be used toform the other layers of the core sub-assembly. Then, the cover layersare applied over the core sub-assembly. Prior to this step, the corestructure may be surface-treated to increase the adhesion between itsouter surface and the next layer that will be applied over the core.Such surface-treatment may include mechanically or chemically-abradingthe outer surface of the core. For example, the core may be subjected tocorona-discharge, plasma-treatment, silane-dipping, or other treatmentmethods known to those in the art.

The cover layers are formed over the core or ball sub-assembly (the corestructure and any intermediate layers disposed about the core) using asuitable technique such as, for example, compression-molding,flip-molding, injection-molding, retractable pin injection-molding,reaction injection-molding (RIM), liquid injection-molding, casting,spraying, powder-coating, vacuum-forming, flow-coating, dipping,spin-coating, and the like. Preferably, each cover layer is separatelyformed over the ball subassembly. For example, an ethylene acidcopolymer ionomer composition may be injection-molded to producehalf-shells. Alternatively, the ionomer composition can be placed into acompression mold and molded under sufficient pressure, temperature, andtime to produce the hemispherical shells. The smooth-surfacedhemispherical shells are then placed around the core sub-assembly in acompression mold. Under sufficient heating and pressure, the shells fusetogether to form an inner cover layer that surrounds the sub-assembly.In another method, the ionomer composition is injection-molded directlyonto the core sub-assembly using retractable pin injection molding. Anouter cover layer comprising a polyurethane or polyurea composition overthe ball sub-assembly may be formed by using a casting process.

After the golf balls have been removed from the mold, they may besubjected to finishing steps such as flash-trimming, surface-treatment,marking, coating, and the like using techniques known in the art. Forexample, in traditional white-colored golf balls, the white-pigmentedcover may be surface-treated using a suitable method such as, forexample, corona, plasma, or ultraviolet (UV) light-treatment. Then,indicia such as trademarks, symbols, logos, letters, and the like may beprinted on the ball's cover using pad-printing, ink-jet printing,dye-sublimation, or other suitable printing methods. Clear surfacecoatings (for example, primer and top-coats), which may contain afluorescent whitening agent, are applied to the cover. The resultinggolf ball has a glossy and durable surface finish.

In another finishing process, the golf balls are painted with one ormore paint coatings. For example, white primer paint may be appliedfirst to the surface of the ball and then a white top-coat of paint maybe applied over the primer. Of course, the golf ball may be painted withother colors, for example, red, blue, orange, and yellow. As notedabove, markings such as trademarks and logos may be applied to thepainted cover of the golf ball. Finally, a clear surface coating may beapplied to the cover to provide a shiny appearance and protect any logosand other markings printed on the ball.

Different ball constructions can be made using the core construction ofthis invention as shown in FIGS. 4-8. Such golf ball constructionsinclude, for example, one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, four-piece, andfive-piece constructions. It should be understood that the golf ballsshown in FIGS. 4-8 are for illustrative purposes only, and they are notmeant to be restrictive. Other golf ball constructions can be made inaccordance with this invention.

It should be understood that the golf ball constructions described aboveare for illustrative purposes only, and they are not meant to berestrictive. Other golf ball constructions can be made in accordancewith this invention.

For example, in one embodiment, a low compression four-piece golf ballmay be constructed with an inner core and outer core layer, bothcomprising a thermoset polybutadiene composition, an inner cover layercomprising the plasticized thermoplastic composition of this invention,and an outer cover layer comprising an ionomer or polyurethanecomposition. In another embodiment, the outer cover layer may be made ofthe plasticized thermoplastic composition as described herein. In yetanother embodiment, a five-piece ball can be constructed, wherein theinner core and/or outer core layer comprises a thermoset polybutadieneor plasticized thermoplastic as described herein, an intermediate layercomprising the plasticized thermoplastic, and an outer cover layercomprising an ionomer or polyurethane material.

It is further recognized that the ethylene acid copolymer/plasticizercompositions of this invention may be used to form one or more core,intermediate, or cover layers. For instance, the compositions may beused in an innermost core or center layer, intermediate core layer, oroutermost core layer as described herein. The composition also may beused to form covers, for example, in an inner, intermediate, oroutermost cover layer. The compositions have a good combination ofproperties including relatively high Coefficient of Restitution (CoR)and relatively low compression so they can be used to make any golf balllayer in any golf ball construction. Molded spheres, prepared fromplasticized thermoplastic compositions of the invention, preferably havea compression of less than 60 and more preferably less than 50.Moreover, the molded spheres preferably have a CoR of at least 0.700 andmore preferably at east 0.800. In one preferred embodiment, the moldedsphere has CoR of about 0.810.

As discussed above, golf balls having various constructions (forexample, one, two, there, four, and five-piece balls) with lowcompressions may be made in accordance with this invention. The balls ofthis invention preferably have dimensions, weight, and other propertiesthat comply with USGA regulations and rules. These inventive balls,however, are not required to have such properties and the balls can beplayed in events that do not follow USGA regulations and rules.Different examples of golf balls made with the plasticized thermoplasticcompositions of this invention are described further below.

Test Methods

Hardness.

The center hardness of a core is obtained according to the followingprocedure. The core is gently pressed into a hemispherical holder havingan internal diameter approximately slightly smaller than the diameter ofthe core, such that the core is held in place in the hemisphericalportion of the holder while concurrently leaving the geometric centralplane of the core exposed. The core is secured in the holder byfriction, such that it will not move during the cutting and grindingsteps, but the friction is not so excessive that distortion of thenatural shape of the core would result. The core is secured such thatthe parting line of the core is roughly parallel to the top of theholder. The diameter of the core is measured 90 degrees to thisorientation prior to securing. A measurement is also made from thebottom of the holder to the top of the core to provide a reference pointfor future calculations. A rough cut is made slightly above the exposedgeometric center of the core using a band saw or other appropriatecutting tool, making sure that the core does not move in the holderduring this step. The remainder of the core, still in the holder, issecured to the base plate of a surface grinding machine. The exposed‘rough’ surface is ground to a smooth, flat surface, revealing thegeometric center of the core, which can be verified by measuring theheight from the bottom of the holder to the exposed surface of the core,making sure that exactly half of the original height of the core, asmeasured above, has been removed to within 0.004 inches. Leaving thecore in the holder, the center of the core is found with a center squareand carefully marked and the hardness is measured at the center markaccording to ASTM D-2240. Additional hardness measurements at anydistance from the center of the core can then be made by drawing a lineradially outward from the center mark, and measuring the hardness at anygiven distance along the line, typically in 2 mm increments from thecenter. The hardness at a particular distance from the center should bemeasured along at least two, preferably four, radial arms located 180°apart, or 90° apart, respectively, and then averaged. All hardnessmeasurements performed on a plane passing through the geometric centerare performed while the core is still in the holder and without havingdisturbed its orientation, such that the test surface is constantlyparallel to the bottom of the holder, and thus also parallel to theproperly aligned foot of the durometer.

The outer surface hardness of a golf ball layer is measured on theactual outer surface of the layer and is obtained from the average of anumber of measurements taken from opposing hemispheres, taking care toavoid making measurements on the parting line of the core or on surfacedefects, such as holes or protrusions. Hardness measurements are madepursuant to ASTM D-2240 “Indentation Hardness of Rubber and Plastic byMeans of a Durometer.” Because of the curved surface, care must be takento ensure that the golf ball or golf ball sub-assembly is centered underthe durometer indenter before a surface hardness reading is obtained. Acalibrated, digital durometer, capable of reading to 0.1 hardness unitsis used for the hardness measurements and is set to record the maximumhardness reading attained for each measurement. The digital durometermust be attached to, and its foot made parallel to, the base of anautomatic stand. The weight on the durometer and attack rate conforms toASTM D-2240.

In certain embodiments, a point or plurality of points measured alongthe “positive” or “negative” gradients may be above or below a line fitthrough the gradient and its outermost and innermost hardness values. Inan alternative preferred embodiment, the hardest point along aparticular steep “positive” or “negative” gradient may be higher thanthe value at the innermost portion of the inner core (the geometriccenter) or outer core layer (the inner surface)—as long as the outermostpoint (i.e., the outer surface of the inner core) is greater than (for“positive”) or lower than (for “negative”) the innermost point (i.e.,the geometric center of the inner core or the inner surface of the outercore layer), such that the “positive” and “negative” gradients remainintact.

As discussed above, the direction of the hardness gradient of a golfball layer is defined by the difference in hardness measurements takenat the outer and inner surfaces of a particular layer. The centerhardness of an inner core and hardness of the outer surface of an innercore in a single-core ball or outer core layer are readily determinedaccording to the test procedures provided above. The outer surface ofthe inner core layer (or other optional intermediate core layers) in adual-core ball are also readily determined according to the proceduresgiven herein for measuring the outer surface hardness of a golf balllayer, if the measurement is made prior to surrounding the layer with anadditional core layer. Once an additional core layer surrounds a layerof interest, the hardness of the inner and outer surfaces of any inneror intermediate layers can be difficult to determine. Therefore, forpurposes of the present invention, when the hardness of the inner orouter surface of a core layer is needed after the inner layer has beensurrounded with another core layer, the test procedure described abovefor measuring a point located 1 mm from an interface is used. Likewise,the midpoint of a core or inner cover layer is taken at a pointequidistant from the inner surface and outer surface of the layer to bemeasured, most typically an outer core layer. Also, once one or morelayers surround a layer of interest, the exact midpoint may be difficultto determine, therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, themeasurement of “midpoint” hardness of a layer is taken within plus orminus 1 mm of the measured midpoint of the layer.

Also, it should be understood that there is a fundamental differencebetween “material hardness” and “hardness as measured directly on a golfball.” For purposes of the present invention, material hardness ismeasured according to ASTM D2240 and generally involves measuring thehardness of a flat “slab” or “button” formed of the material. Surfacehardness as measured directly on a golf ball (or other sphericalsurface) typically results in a different hardness value. The differencein “surface hardness” and “material hardness” values is due to severalfactors including, but not limited to, ball construction (that is, coretype, number of cores and/or cover layers, and the like); ball (orsphere) diameter; and the material composition of adjacent layers. Italso should be understood that the two measurement techniques are notlinearly related and, therefore, one hardness value cannot easily becorrelated to the other. Shore hardness (for example, Shore C or Shore Dhardness) was measured according to the test method ASTM D-2240.

Compression.

As disclosed in Jeff Dalton's Compression by Any Other Name, Science andGolf IV, Proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf (EricThain ed., Routledge, 2002) (“J. Dalton”), several different methods canbe used to measure compression, including Atti compression, Riehlecompression, load/deflection measurements at a variety of fixed loadsand offsets, and effective modulus. The DCM is an apparatus that appliesa load to a core or ball and measures the number of inches the core orball is deflected at measured loads. A load/deflection curve isgenerated that is fit to the Atti compression scale that results in anumber being generated that represents an Atti compression. The DCM doesthis via a load cell attached to the bottom of a hydraulic cylinder thatis triggered pneumatically at a fixed rate (typically about 1.0 ft/s)towards a stationary core. Attached to the cylinder is an LVDT thatmeasures the distance the cylinder travels during the testing timeframe.A software-based logarithmic algorithm ensures that measurements are nottaken until at least five successive increases in load are detectedduring the initial phase of the test.

Coefficient of Restitution (“COR”).

The COR is determined according to a known procedure, wherein a golfball or golf ball sub-assembly (for example, a golf ball core) is firedfrom an air cannon at two given velocities and a velocity of 125 ft/s isused for the calculations. Ballistic light screens are located betweenthe air cannon and steel plate at a fixed distance to measure ballvelocity. As the ball travels toward the steel plate, it activates eachlight screen and the ball's time period at each light screen ismeasured. This provides an incoming transit time period which isinversely proportional to the ball's incoming velocity. The ball makesimpact with the steel plate and rebounds so it passes again through thelight screens. As the rebounding ball activates each light screen, theball's time period at each screen is measured. This provides an outgoingtransit time period which is inversely proportional to the ball'soutgoing velocity. The COR is then calculated as the ratio of the ball'soutgoing transit time period to the ball's incoming transit time period(COR=V_(out)/V_(in)=T_(in)/T_(out)).

The present invention is illustrated further by the following Examples,but these Examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is illustrated further by the following Examples,but these Examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention.

The following commercially available materials were used in the belowexamples:

CB23 high-cis neodymium-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber, commerciallyavailable from Lanxess Corporation;

Fusabond® N525 metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene, Fusabond® N416chemically modified ethylene elastomer, Fusabond® C190 anhydridemodified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and Fusabond® P614functionalized polypropylene, commercially available from E. I. du Pontde Nemours and Company;

HPC 1022 is a bimodal ionomer that is 100% neutralized with a zinccation source and the composition of which is described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,562,906, and 8,193,283, as well as 8,410,219 and 8,410,220, allof which are incorporated by reference herein;

HPC 1043 is a bimodal ionomer that is 100% neutralized with a magnesiumcation source and the composition of which is described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,562,906, and 8,193,283, as well as 8,410,219 and 8,410,220, allof which are incorporated by reference herein;

Nucrel® 9-1, Nucrel® 599, Nucrel® 960, Nucrel® 0407, Nucrel® 0609,Nucrel® 1214, Nucrel® 2906, Nucrel® 2940, Nucrel® 30707, Nucrel® 31001,and Nucrel® AE acid copolymers, commercially available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company and particularly

Nucrel® 9-1 is a copolymer of ethylene with 23.5% n-butyl acrylate, andabout 9% methacrylic acid that is unneutralized;

Nucrel® 2940 is a copolymer of ethylene and about 19% methacrylic acidthat is unneutralized;

Nucrel® 0403 is a copolymer of ethylene and about 4% methacrylic acidthat is unneutralized;

Nucrel® 960 is a copolymer of ethylene and about 15% methacrylic acidthat is unneutralized;

Primacor® 3150, 3330, 5980I, 5986, and 5990I acid copolymers,commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company—Primacor 5980i and5986 are both copolymers of ethylene with about 20% acrylic acid;

Surlyn® 6320 is based on a copolymer of ethylene with 23.5% n-butylacrylate, and about 9% methacrylic acid that is about 50% neutralizedwith a magnesium cation source, commercially available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company;

Surlyn® 8150 is based on a copolymer of ethylene with about 19%methacrylic acid that is about 45% neutralized with a sodium cationsource, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany;

Surlyn® 8320 is based on a copolymer of ethylene with 23.5% n-butylacrylate, and about 9% methacrylic acid that is about 52% neutralizedwith a sodium cation source, commercially available from E. I. du Pontde Nemours and Company;

Surlyn® 9120 is based on a copolymer of ethylene with about 19%methacrylic acid that is about 36% neutralized with a zinc cationsource, commercially available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours andCompany; and

Surlyn® 9320 is based on a copolymer of ethylene with 23.5% n-butylacrylate, and about 9% methacrylic acid that is about 41% neutralizedwith a zinc cation source, commercially available from E. I. du Pont deNemours and Company.

Solid spheres of each composition were injection molded, and the solidsphere COR, compression, Shore D hardness, and Shore C hardness of theresulting spheres were measured after two weeks. The results arereported in the Tables below. The surface hardness of a sphere isobtained from the average of a number of measurements taken fromopposing hemispheres, taking care to avoid making measurements on theparting line of the sphere or on surface defects, such as holes orprotrusions. Hardness measurements are made pursuant to ASTM D-2240“Indentation Hardness of Rubber and Plastic by Means of a Durometer.”Because of the curved surface, care must be taken to ensure that thesphere is centered under the durometer indentor before a surfacehardness reading is obtained. A calibrated, digital durometer, capableof reading to 0.1 hardness units is used for all hardness measurementsand is set to record the maximum hardness reading obtained for eachmeasurement. The digital durometer must be attached to, and its footmade parallel to, the base of an automatic stand. The weight on thedurometer and the attack rate conform to ASTM D-2240.

In the following examples, acid copolymer compositions (which containfully neutralized, bimodal ionomers) were made. These compositions andthe properties of these materials are described in Table 3 below. Allpercentages are based on total weight percent of the composition, unlessotherwise indicated.

TABLE 3 Properties of Solid Spheres Made from BimodalIonomer/Plasticizer Compositions. CoR@ SFI SFI First 2nd 125 Shore DShore C SFI Shore D Shore C Ex. Ingr. Ingr. ft/s Compression HardnessHardness Compression Hardness Hardness 3A HPC 0.495 43 32.0 54.4 −0.299−0.261 −0.263 AD1022 (100%) 3B HPC Ethyl 0.544 2 24.1 46.0 −0.195 −0.157−0.178 AD1022 Oleate (90%) (10%) 3C HPC 0.687 78 38.9 71.6 −0.153 −0.117−0.146 AD1043 (100%) 3D HPC Ethyl 0.717 49 31.7 62.8 −0.084 −0.037−0.078 AD1043 Oleate (90%) (10%) 3E HPC Ethyl 0.714 19 27.7 45.9 −0.048−0.012 −0.007 AD1043 Oleate (80%) (20%) 3F HPC Ethyl 0.554 −41 21.4 31.9−0.129 −0.128 −0.107 AD1022 Oleate (80%) (20%) 3G HPC Ethyl 0.684 −2021.5 31.5 −0.026 0.002 0.025 AD1043 Oleate (70%) (30%) 3H HPC Ethyl0.526 −89 15.9 20.6 −0.093 −0.117 −0.086 AD1022 Oleate (70%) (30%)

In the following examples, acid copolymer ionomer blend compositionswere made. These compositions and the properties of these materials aredescribed in Table 4 below. All percentages are based on total weightpercent of the composition, unless otherwise indicated.

TABLE 4 Properties of Solid Spheres Made from Acid Copolymer IonomerBlend Compositions. First Second Third CoR@ Com- Ingre- Ingre- Ingre-125 pres- Shore D Shore C Ex. dient dient dient ft/s sion HardnessHardness 4A Surlyn Surlyn 0.722 151 65.3 92.3 6910 8320 (77%) (23%) 4BSurlyn Surlyn Ethyl 0.753 141 59.1 87.5 6910 8320 Oleate (70%) (21%)(9%) 4C Surlyn Surlyn 0.708 157 63.6 89.9 7940 8320 (77%) (23%) 4DSurlyn Surlyn Ethyl 0.682 144 54.7 82.4 7940 8320 Oleate (70%) (21%)(9%) 4E Surlyn Surlyn 0.683 157 62.9 89.7 8945 8320 (77%) (23%) 4FSurlyn Surlyn Ethyl 0.651 140 52.0 78.6 8945 8320 Oleate (70%) (21%)(9%) 4G Surlyn Surlyn 0.645 154 60.1 87.1 9945 8320 (77%) (23%) 4HSurlyn Surlyn Ethyl 0.627 131 50.4 76.0 9945 8320 Oleate (70%) (21%)(9%)

As shown in above Table 4, sample ethylene acid copolymer ionomer andethylene acid ester terpolymer ionomer blends were prepared, and sphereswere made from these blend compositions. Some of the ionomer blends didnot contain plasticizer (Samples 2A, 2C, 2E, and 2G), while otherionomer blends contained plasticizer (Samples 2B, 2D, 2F, and 2H).Interestingly, only Sample 2B showed an increase in CoR versus itsrespective control (Sample 2A). In this instance, it is believed thecomposition of the ionomer blend is significant. The ionomer blendcontaining plasticizer in Sample 2B used a blend of Mg/Na cations as theneutralizing agent for the acid groups. In contrast, the other ionomerblends containing plasticizer in Table 2 used a blend of Li/Na cations(Sample 2D), or a blend of Na/Na cations (Sample 2F), or a blend ofZn/Na cations (Sample 2H) as the neutralizing agent. In one preferredembodiment of this invention, a composition comprising an ethylene acidcopolymer ionomer and ethylene acid ester terpolymer ionomer blendcontaining a blend of Mg/Na cations is used to form the outer or innercover layer or other layer of the golf ball construction.

In the following examples, some sample highly neutralized (HNP) ethyleneacid copolymer compositions were made and the hardness values (Shore Cand Shore D) of these materials were measured. These compositions andthe properties of these materials are described in Tables 5 and 5Abelow. All percentages are based on total weight percent of thecomposition, unless otherwise indicated.

The hardness of the sample spheres was measured at their outer surfaceand geometric centers. The hardness gradient is determined bysubtracting the hardness value at the geometric center of the spherefrom the hardness value at the outer surface of the sphere. If thehardness value of the outer surface is greater than the hardness valueof the center, the hardness gradient is deemed “positive.” Conversely,if the hardness value of the outer surface of the sphere is less thanthe hardness value of the sphere's center, the hardness gradient will be“negative.” As reported in below Tables 5 and 5A, the samplesdemonstrate a wide range of “surface-to-center” gradients includingpositive, negative, and zero hardness gradients.

For the below Samples in Tables 5 and 5A, and for all plasticizedthermoplastic compositions herein, it is generally established that thehardness measured at any point in between the geometric and the outersurface is within plus or minus 7, and more preferably within plus orminus 5, and most preferably within plus or minus 3 of the geometriccenter hardness and the surface hardness values. That is, for Sample“3A”, the hardness at any point between the geometric center and theouter surface is most preferably, within a range of from 77.1 to 95.9Shore C, and typically is a value that is between the geometric centerand the outer surface, i.e., is within the range of from 80.1 Shore C to92.9 Shore C. Therefore, the hardness at any point between the geometricand the outer surface of Sample “3A” may, most preferably be a value of78, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, or 95 ShoreC.

Likewise for above Sample “3F”, the hardness measured at any pointbetween the geometric center and the outer surface will, mostpreferably, be within a range of from 32.5 to 44.4, and for Sample “3D”,the hardness measured at any point between the geometric center and theouter surface will, most preferably, be within a range of from 63.5 to71.5 Shore C, and so forth for other plasticized thermoplasticcompositions

TABLE 5 Hardness Gradients of Sample HNP/Plasticizer Compositions FirstSecond Aging of Sphere Example Ingredient Ingredient (Weeks) 5A HPF 100020 (100%) 5B HPF 1000 Ethyl Oleate 21 (90%) (10%) 5C HPF 2000 20 (100%)5D HPF 2000 Ethyl Oleate 20 (90%) (10%) 5E HPF 2000 Ethyl Oleate 9 (80%)(20%) 5F HPF 1000 Ethyl Oleate 9 (70%) (30%)

TABLE 5A Hardness Gradient of Sample HNP/Plasticizer Compositions SphereSurface Sphere Center Surface-to-Center Sphere Surface Sphere CenterSurface-to-Center Example Hardness (Shore C) Hardness (Shore C) Gradient(Shore C) Hardness (Shore D) Hardness (Shore D) Gradient (Shore D) 5A92.9 80.1 12.8 58.6 50.5 8.1 5B 85.4 74.2 11.2 54.0 43.8 10.2 5C 78.575.1 3.4 47.4 45.8 1.6 5D 68.5 66.5 2.0 38.4 37.6 0.8 5E 51.8 53.4 −1.629.4 27.7 1.7 5F 35.5 41.4 −5.9 20.3 21.7 −1.4

The melt flow index of the compositions also can be measured using ASTMD-1238 at 190° C. with a 2160 gram weight. In a preferred embodiment,the addition of the plasticizer increases the melt flow index of thecomposition by a magnitude of at least 0.5 g/10 minutes, more preferablyat least 1.0 g/10 minutes, and even more preferably at least 2.0 or 3.0g/10 minutes.

Comparative and Working Examples

The following examples show a comparative core structure (thermosetrubber composition) and one embodiment of a core structure of thisinvention (plasticized thermoplastic composition). The compositions andassociated properties are described in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Comparative and Working Examples A and B Example A (Comparative)Example B Core Composition Neodene BR 40 70 — Budene 1207G 22 — Buna SB1502 8 — HPF 2000 — 100 Dymalink 526 16.15 — Zinc Oxide 5 — PerkadoxBC-FF 1 — Rhenogran Zn-PCTP-70 0.75 — Ethyl Oleate — 25 Limestone 24.8 —Core Regrind 26.5 — Color Masterbatch 0.17 — Core diameter (inches)1.577 1.566 Core Properties Compression 19 32 COR 0.779 0.810 SurfaceHardness (Shore C) 71.9 53 (Calculated) Center Hardness (Shore C) 50.851 (Calculated) The following commercially-available materials were usedin above Examples A and B: Neodene ® BR 40, polybutadiene rubber,commercially available from Karbochem; Budene ® 1207G polybutadienerubber, commercially available from Goodyear Chemical; Buna ® SB 1502styrene butadiene rubber, commercially available from Styron, a divisionof Trinseo LLC; Buna ® CB 1221, polybutadiene rubber, commerciallyavailable from Lanxess Corporation; HPF 2000, ionomer of ethylene acidacrylate terpolymer, commercially available from DuPont; Dymalink ® 526,zinc diacrylate, commercially available from Cray Valley; Perkadox ®BC-FF, peroxide, commercially available from AkzoNobel; Rhenogran ®Zn-PCTP-70, zinc pentachlorothiophenol, commercially available fromRheinChemie;

Additional Examples

In one example, the golf ball is a one-piece ball comprising aplasticized thermoplastic composition and having a size of about 1.62 to1.80 inches in diameter with a compression in the range of about 0 toabout 110. The ball further comprises one or more very thin layers ofcoating, or paint as is found on a conventional ball. In one particularexample of a one-piece ball, the plasticized thermoplastic compositioncomprises HPF 2000 acid copolymer ionomer resin and 25 wt % ethyl oleate(or other fatty acid ester). In this particular example, the ball has acompression of about 20 and a COR of about 0.800, and the ball has asize of about 1.680 inches in diameter.

In a second example, the golf ball has a two-piece constructioncomprising a large core made of a plasticized thermoplastic compositionand a single cover layer, wherein the core comprising the plasticizedthermoplastic composition is formed from HPF 2000 acid copolymer ionomerresin and 30 wt % ethyl oleate; and the cover comprises a 50/50 blend ofSurlyn 8940/9910 or 8940/7940 acid copolymer ionomer resin. The ball hasa compression of about 25 to about 55 and a COR of at least about 0.800at 125 ft/sec. The core is about 1.55 to 1.64 inches in diameter, morepreferably 1.58 to 1.62 inches. In one particular example, the thicknessof the cover is adjusted accordingly so that the ball has an overallsize of about 1.68 inches in diameter. If filler is needed to achievethe desired ball weight, the filler may be added to the core and/orcover layers.

In a third example, the golf ball has a two-piece constructioncomprising a large core made of a plasticized thermoplastic compositionand a single cover layer, wherein the core comprising the plasticizedthermoplastic composition is formed from HPF 1000 acid copolymer ionomerresin and 30 wt % ethyl oleate; and the cover comprises a 50/50 blend ofSurlyn 8940/9910 or 8940/7940 acid copolymer ionomer resin. The ball hasa compression of about 30 to 60 and COR of at least about 0.800 at 125ft/sec. The core is about 1.55 to 1.64 inches in diameter, morepreferably 1.58 to 1.62 inches. In one particular example, the thicknessof the cover is adjusted accordingly so that the ball has an overallsize of about 1.68 inches in diameter. If filler is needed to achievethe desired ball weight, the filler may be added to the core and/orcover layers.

In a fourth example, the golf ball has a two-piece constructioncomprising a large thermoset polybutadiene core and a single cover layermade of a plasticized thermoplastic composition. If filler is needed toachieve the desired ball weight, the filler may be added to the coreand/or cover layers.

In a fifth example, the golf ball comprises at least 3 layers (a corelayer, a relatively thin inner cover (or intermediate layer,) and anoutermost cover layer.) In one particular example, the core is anunfilled plasticized thermoplastic composition and the inner cover layeris a thin dense layer of ionomer comprising relatively high levels offiller (such as tungsten) to allow the golf ball to achieve a weight ofabout 1.620 oz. Alternatively, in a 4-piece ball version, twointermediate layers may be used. In another 4-piece ball, there is aninner core comprising unfilled plasticized thermoplastic composition; athin outer core layer comprising the same or different plasticizedthermoplastic composition (or conventional ionomer that does notcomprise plasticizer) that contains filler to add weight and an innercover layer comprising ionomer (but no plasticizer), and an outer coverlayer. Using more than one intermediate layer may facilitateincorporation of filler, improve durability, and the like and allow for“tweaking” the desired properties of the golf ball.

In a sixth example, the golf ball comprises at least 3 layers (a corelayer of plasticized thermoplastic composition), a relatively thin innercover (or intermediate layer), and an outermost cover layer. Ballshaving a diameter greater than 1.68 inches (“oversized balls”), asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/467,083; 14/467,086;and 14/467,089, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference, may be made in accordance with the present invention.

In a seventh example, the golf ball comprises at least 3 layers (a corelayer, a relatively thin inner cover (or intermed layer) and anoutermost cover layer). The core and/or inner cover and/or outer covermay be made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition. Relatively smalland heavy balls may be made. For example, the ball may have a heavy corecontaining metal filler as disclosed in US Patent ApplicationPublications US 2014/0073456 and US 2014/0073457, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

In an eighth example, the golf ball comprises at least 3 layers (a corelayer, a relatively thin inner cover (or intermed layer) and anoutermost cover layer), wherein the core and/or inner cover layercomprise a non-uniform thickness surface having projections as disclosedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/080,930, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference. The core and/or inner cover and/orouter cover may be made of a plasticized thermoplastic composition.

Any of the above golf ball examples may be further modified so that theball is an “oversized” ball and has a diameter greater than 1.68 inchesas disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/467,083;14/467,086; and 14/467,089; and/or the ball may be modified so that ithas a non-uniform thickness surface having projections as disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/080,930. Golf balls having a coreand/or cover layers containing depressions and artifacts also may beprepared. The core and/or inner cover and/or outer cover may be made ofa plasticized thermoplastic composition.

Also, any of the above golf ball examples may be further modified toproduce a ball having an initial velocity (as measured according to theUSGA initial velocity testing methods or calculated using a COR to USGAIV correlation) that is above 255 ft/sec, preferably above 256, and maybe above 260, 265, 270 or 280, and preferably has a COR (at 125 ft/sec)of from about 0.800 to 0.950, and more preferably a COR of 0.820 to0.900. Further, any of the above golf ball examples may be modified,either to construction, materials, and/or aerodynamics (that is, dimplepattern and dimple dimensions) to produce a ball having an overalldistance as measured according to the United States Golf Association(USGA) Overall Distance Standard (ODS), that is over 320 yards, morepreferably at least 325 yards and may be at least 330, 340, or 350 yardsor more.

It is understood that the compositions and golf ball products describedand illustrated herein represent only some embodiments of the invention.It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes andadditions can be made to compositions and products without departingfrom the spirit and scope of this invention. It is intended that allsuch embodiments be covered by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A golf ball, comprising: i) a core comprising athermoplastic composition, the core having an outer surface hardness(H_(core surface)) and a center hardness (H_(core center)), theH_(core surface) being greater than the H_(core center) to provide apositive hardness gradient, the thermoplastic composition comprising; a)an acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid,optionally including a softening monomer selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates; b) a plasticizer; andc) a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize fromabout 0 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the composition; andii) a cover disposed about the core, wherein the ball has a compressionof less than
 60. 2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thermoplasticcomposition further comprises a non-acid polymer selected from the groupconsisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyethers,polyurethanes, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, single-site catalystpolymerized polymers, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylenediene rubber, styrenic block copolymer rubbers, alkyl acrylate rubbers,and functionalized derivatives thereof.
 3. The golf ball of claim 2,wherein the acid copolymer of ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylicacid does not include a softening monomer, and wherein the acid isselected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid and is present in theacid copolymer in an amount of from about 15 to about 30 weight %, basedon the total weight of the acid copolymer.
 4. The golf ball of claim 2,wherein the non-acid polymer is an alkyl acrylate rubber selected fromethylene-alkyl acrylates and ethylene-alkyl methacrylates and is presentin an amount of greater than 50 wt. %, based on the combined weight ofthe acid copolymer and the non-acid polymer.
 5. The golf ball of claim4, wherein the alkyl acrylate rubber is ethylene-n-butyl acrylate, andwherein the n-butyl-acrylate is present in an amount of 20 wt. % orgreater, based on the total weight of the non-acid polymer composition.6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic materialcomprises about 3 to about 50% by weight plasticizer.
 7. The golf ballof claim 6, wherein the plasticizer is a fatty acid ester.
 8. The golfball of claim 7, wherein the plasticizer is an alkyl oleate selectedfrom the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, propyl oleate,butyl oleate, and octyl oleate, and mixtures thereof.Ionomer—Neutralization
 9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein thethermoplastic material comprises an ethylene acid copolymer containingacid groups such that 70% or less of the acid groups are neutralized.10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic materialcomprises an ethylene acid copolymer containing acid groups such thatgreater than 70% of the acid groups are neutralized.
 11. The golf ballof claim 10, wherein 90% or greater of the acid groups are neutralized.12. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the ethylene acid copolymer isselected from the group consisting of ethylene/(meth)acrylicacid/n-butyl acrylate; ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate;ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/methyl acrylate; ethylene/(meth)acrylicacid/n-butyl acrylate; and ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/isobutyl acrylatecopolymers.
 13. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core has adiameter in the range of about 1.475 to about 1.600 inches.
 14. The golfball of claim 1, wherein the H_(core center) is in the range of about 10Shore C to about 70 Shore C and the H_(core surface) is in the range ofabout 15 Shore C to about 90 Shore C.
 15. The golf ball of claim 1,wherein the H_(core center) is in the range of about 30 Shore C to about69 Shore C and the H_(core surface) is in the range of about 31 Shore Cto about 70 Shore C.
 16. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the ball hasa compression in the range of about 25 to about
 55. 17. A golf ball,comprising: i) a core comprising a thermoplastic composition, the corehaving an outer surface hardness (H_(core surface)) and a centerhardness (H_(core center)), the H_(core surface) being the same or lessthan the H_(core center) to provide a zero or negative hardnessgradient, the thermoplastic composition comprising; a) an acid copolymerof ethylene and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally includinga softening monomer selected from the group consisting of alkylacrylates and methacrylates; b) a plasticizer; and c) a cation sourcepresent in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 0 to about 100%of all acid groups present in the composition; and ii) a cover disposedabout the core, wherein the ball has a compression of less than
 60. 18.The golf ball of claim 17, wherein the H_(core center) is in the rangeof about 15 Shore C to about 90 Shore C and the H_(core surface) is inthe range of about 10 Shore C to about 70 Shore C.
 19. The golf ball ofclaim 17, wherein the H_(core center) is in the range of about 31 ShoreC to about 70 Shore C and the H_(core surface) is in the range of about30 Shore C to about 69 Shore C.
 20. The golf ball of claim 17, whereinthe ball has a compression in the range of about 25 to about 55.